Best Domains of Dread in Dungeons and Dragons

Key Takeaways

• Various D&D settings offer different themes and atmospheres for all players.
• The Domains of Dread are unique, with dedicated Darklords ruling over each realm.
• Barovia remains the most iconic and well-known Dread Domain in D&D history.

Dungeons and Dragons has a little something for everyone, from the bread and butter fantasy setting of the Forgotten Realms to the more low-magic Ebberon, and the mist-shrouded horror Barovia. All these setting serve to offer different atmospheres and themes, ensuring that there is a campaign setting for everyone. For those keen on horror, there are even more settings that could rival Barovia.

Known as the Domains of Dread, these locations all vary in aesthetics and have their own dedicated Darklord lording over their cursed realm. Explored and expanded upon in the supplement book Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft, these dreaded domains are sure to thrill every Ravenloft fan.

9 Mordent

There is No Escape, Not Even in Death

What lies beyond death is a topic that has been pondered by many throughout the ages. Mordent has a definitive answer to that question that might unsettle some people: Ghosts never live, they never find peace, and they never move on from the afterlife. They remain stuck in the land among the living, haunting their final place of resting or melting away into the mists and forgetting everything about themselves.

Some ghosts even influence the land of Mordent, ensuring that traditions are upheld and that their ancestors are carrying on the family legacy. But citizens don’t just have to worry about frightening ghost encounters, as the leader of this realm, the evil Lord Godefroy, is just as terrifying. He murdered his own wife and daughter and has trapped some restless spirits into servitude or experimentation. Even in death, there is no escape from Godefroy’s reach.

8 Tepest

Cruel Secrets Hide Beneath the Bountiful Nature

From first glance, the land of Tepest is picturesque and idyllic, the fields bearing a golden hue as children happily frolick in them with uproarous laughter. But staying in the land too long gives players the distinct feeling they are being watched, and the air among these rolling hills feels strangely somber. This is because not everything is what it seems in the land of Tepest, and beautiful nature hides some very dark secrets.

The hag Lorinda poses as a benevolent deity by the name of Mother who wants nothing more than to live up to her namesake. This sounds sweet enough, but there is no doubt that Mother Lorinda would force the villagers to love her if they would not do so of their own free will. Not only that, but villagers often disappear, used as feed for her evil offspring. All the while, fey lie in wait, hatching evil schemes and offering cruel bargains to those away from the Mother’s watchful eyes.

7 Borca

All That Glitters is Not Gold

• Rulers: Ivana Borsiti and Ivan Dilisnya

In any land, there is going to be a divide between the nobility and the gentry, but in the land of Borca, this divide is even greater. The nobles enjoy their lavish lifestyles, throwing around coin in the pursuit of fleeting pleasures, while the rest of the unfortunate denizens live under the threat of exploitation and starvation. The noble family’s estates dot the landscape even more so than the settlements of the land, each one more decadent than the last. Exploration of these lands would be as awe-inspiring as it is despairing.

The draw of this domain lies more in its Darklords, Ivana and Ivan. These two are by far the most depraved and evil characters in Borca, with Ivana being a skilled poisoner and Ivan being an accomplished toy maker, but hardly any of his creations are designed to bring joy to children.

6 Aggarath

A Domain Located in the Hilt of a Dagger

There is no doubt that Aggarath is the smallest domain there is, as its size is approximately an inch across. That’s because this domain is housed inside the gemstone on the hilt of a dagger, but inside is a world that feels big to those who find themselves within the confines of it. Before the Darklord was drawn into this gem, it was an empty space. His presence, and Marble’s, had an interesting effect on this magical pocket dimension.

Aggarath itself is made up of 12 seperate regions, known as facets, like those of a gem. This likens it to hell as described in Dante’s Inferno. Each facet varies greatly in appearance, from the barren entrance to a gambling hall and a cathedral. This great variety of locations makes Aggarath an interesting location to explore and gives players an intimate glimpse into Chardath’s tragic life.

5 Darkon

A Darkened Land for the Dead

The Dread Domain belonging to the Darklord Azalin is one of the most intriguing with its peculiar phenomena and chilling prophecy. A layer of ghostly phosphorescence hovers above the ground in graveyards, atop hills and fields, usually as an omen that a storm approaches. In addition, the moon never rises on the night of the Winter Solstice, plunging the land into a cold and bitter darkness that locals refer to as the Darkest Night.

If that isn’t enough to pique players’ interest in Darkon, a legend has spread among the people that, one day, all the dead will rise and take control of the domain – a day that all the denizens understandably live in fear of. This little bit of lore could make for a very interesting campaign hook or one-shot.

4 Markovia

Based on a Famous Novel

• Ruler: Dr. Frantisek Markov

This domain may be one of the most desolate, populated only by Dr. Markov and his broken creations that straddle the horrifying line between beast and man, which is his life’s passion. He pursues his tormented and doomed goal of crafting creatures that are the perfect middle ground between the two, but all this does is create horrifying monstrosities that suffer untold mental trauma from what was done to them.

This unique body horror setting could potentially be the most terrifying Domain of Dread of all, especially as players who arrive here would find none spared from Markov’s experimentation. They could even find themselves being unwilling victims for his experiments.

3 Bluetspur

Reality-Bending Cosmic Dread

Each Domain of Dread taps into a different vein of horror, with Bluetspur firmly rooting itself in the maddening throes of cosmic horror that could rival the works of Lovecraft. The land itself posits impossible geometry and strange vistas that non-Mind Flayer minds can barely comprehend. Those who are dragged into the mists of Bluetspur hardly ever leave, and those who do will bare the scars of insanity forever.

The normal denizens of this domain, the Mind Flayers, tend to their dying God-Brain all the while carrying out its demands, which have disintegrated along with its life. To delay its death, they drag victims into their clutches, putting them through cruel and rigorous experiments in the name of research. All of this culminates in Bluetspur being the most inhospitable domain, which is saying a lot considering the lethality of the other locations.

2 The Carnival

A Possible Reprieve from Terror

Colorful banners, cheerful music, resplendent aromas of food, the promise of marvels, and excitement and wonder – so far, the Carnival doesn’t sound like a domain one should dread. But one should always be wary of locations within the Land of Mists, as there is no doubt that there are dark forces at work beyond all the laughter and fun.

The Carnival isn’t one stationary location; instead, it is a traveling troupe capable of leaving and entering the mist. Their nomadic nature is due to the very essence of the domain but also the dangers they bring with them. Sinister forces lurk among them that only grow in danger if they remain stationary for long, hence their penchant for travel. As far as Dread Domains go, it is not the most evil or frightening, but it is definitely one of the more interesting ones that can either brighten up a game or bring with it a whole new slew of horror.

1 Barovia

The Icon Land of Mist and Vampires Remains the Most Iconic

• Ruler: Count Strahd Von Zarovich

Barovia is by far the most well known domain, both in-game and among D&D fans. It received its very own campaigns, House of Strahd in Advanced D&D and Curse of Strahd in D&D 5e, placing an emphasis on horror with its dread monsters, eerie locations, and the dangerous and deadly lord at the head of it all.

Many famous D&D adventurers, such as Minsc and Volo, have made their way into the fog and miraculously lived to tell the tale. With its iconic villain, who has been cemented in D&D‘s history, Barovia is definitely the best Dread Domain out there, and it’s one that players will equally love and hate. There are so many horrors to uncover hidden in the midst, and it stands out as one of the deadliest locations adventurers could have the misfortune of being trapped within.