Every Domain Of Dread In Van Richten’s Guide To Ravenloft Ranked In DND

Summary

• Barovia, featuring iconic Darklord Strahd von Zarovich, encapsulates everything we love about gothic horror.
• Mordent offers a classic ghost story adventure in an English countryside setting, perfect for some spooky fun.
• I’Cath, a fascinating realm, has a unique concept where players navigate a dream world in a city ruled by Tsien Chiang.

The Domains of Dread in Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft feature some of the most iconic and storied locales you’ll ever see in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. These horror-based settings are macabre, morbid, and most of all terrifying. If you’re planning on running a campaign through the Domains of Dread, it can be hard to know where to start.

That’s why we’ve created this list, which breaks down every single Domain of Dread on offer in the Ravenloft campaign setting and ranks them. For this list, we’re taking into account the overall vibe, antagonists, and mechanics. Here are all the realms in Ravenloft, ranked.

Van Ricthen’s Guide to Ravenloft offers dozens of ideas for Domains of Dread. For this list, we’ll be looking at fully fleshed-out campaign settings.

17

Bluetspur

Bluetspur is the only full-blown cosmic/sci-fi horror setting available in Ravenloft, making it highly unique. This realm is characterized by Mind Flayers and other alien-like creatures who feed on psychological torment. Much of this realm and adventure take place underground, as endless storms torment the surface of Bluetspur.

The reason this realm ranks so low on this list is that Mind Flayers and Illithids are very commonplace D&D monsters that you can really use in any campaign setting. While it’s nice that Ravenloft has a sci-fi horror setting, ultimately, this isn’t anything that unique that we haven’t already seen in other adventures.

16

Hazlan

Magic is might in Hazlan. Riddled with powerful spellcasters and ruled by the cruel wizard known as Hazlik, this realm is tailor-made for high-level spellcasting parties. The tone of the world evokes Dune and other sci-fi/fantasy hybrid stories. Hazlik is also an interesting Darklord, with his relentless pursuit of knowledge making him fun to roleplay.

Ultimately, the problem with Hazlan is that it’s just not that scary. Sure, an all-powerful wizard can prove terrifying, but this realm lacks traditional horror tropes that make adventuring through the Domains of Dread so much fun. This setting can almost fit inside a survival-based campaign better than a horror one.

15

Darkon

The mists surround Darkon more tightly than they do any other Domain of Dread. The key idea behind Darkon is that it is, in essence, about to be swallowed whole by the mists, unless players manage to escape. Meanwhile, the citizenry of Darkon all vie for rule over the Domain, which has no Darklord to speak of.

While the premise of Darkon is interesting, as mentioned, having no Darklord can leave this realm feeling a bit hollow. While the impossible floating architecture of Castle Avernus is interesting, and the threat of the Domain being swallowed by the mists is scary, ultimately, not having a key antagonist makes for a less-than-interesting Domain of Dread option.

14

Kalakeri

Kalakeri is a realm tormented by deceit and palace intrigue, mixed in with a lush tropical environment. The main concept behind this realm comes from its Darklord, Ramya, whose vengeful spirit tries to maintain order and power over the realm while her treacherous siblings attempt to usurp her.

For parties that are interested in heavy roleplay, palace intrigue, and trying to play multiple sides of a warring intrafamily feud, Kalakeri can prove incredibly fun. The only downside to this realm is that it is heavily roleplay-focused. While there are combat elements at play, this realm is only going to really be right for high-Charisma-based parties.

13

Kartakass

The realm of Kartakass is all about performance. This campaign setting is perfect for a party of bards, or any party that has a natural proclivity toward performance and cunning. The main idea of Kartakass is that everyone is putting on a show; this realm highlights the dark underbelly of becoming famous.

Ultimately, while this conceit is interesting, it’s a little hard to sustain over a long campaign. You’re better off using Kartakass and its Darklord in a two to three-game arc rather than using this environment as a full campaign setting. However, your bard is likely to thank you for bringing this realm into the fold of your campaign.

12

Mordent

Mordent offers players a classic ghost story adventure. Ghosts wander around Mordent freely and are to be found around every nook and cranny. Plus, the English countryside setting makes for a classic horror environment, making this realm quite fun.

The only downside to Mordent is that, once you get past the novelty of ghosts walking around everywhere, there’s not that much more to this setting. Wilfred Godefroy is one of the less interesting Darklords on offer in the sourcebook, but, for the right party, Mordent can prove entertaining.

11

Valachan

Valachan offers an interesting environment for players to explore that’s not typically associated with horror: a vast jungle. This is almost similar to Tomb of Annihilation in some ways. Valachan is ruled by a master huntress named Chakuna, who strikes fear into the hearts of adventuring parties that cross her path.

While this setting is fun and unique, it’s not the type that immediately conjures the idea of horror. If you’re running a campaign that strings a lot of these realms together, use Valachan to break up more traditional horror elements.

10

The Carnival

This Domain of Dread earns the most points based on vibes alone. The entire setting is only a few hundred square yards and takes place entirely at a traveling carnival that makes its way through the mists. What’s most interesting about this setting is that its Darklord isn’t a person, but a sentient sword that has an unquenchable thirst for revenge known as Nepenthe.

However, the downside to this Domain, as mentioned, is its size. Ultimately, you’re not really going to be able to use this realm as a full campaign setting. Adventures at The Carnival can probably only last a few games, so use this setting to connect grander adventures.

9

Borca

Borca is a land filled with dozens of scheming nobles, whose machinations force the poor folk of the realm to suffer. Poison conservatories, macabre body horror, and more characterize this Domain of Dread. What’s most interesting about this realm is that it has not one, but two Darklords.

The only downside here is that these Darklords don’t really have that much of a connection to one another. The trick to DM-ing a campaign in this setting is to have both Darklords vie for the party’s attention, as their schemes unfurl before the party’s eyes. Bonus points go to this realm for its atmosphere, which is expertly Gothic and spooky.

8

Har’Akir

Har’Akir offers players the chance to live out their full Tomb Raider/Indiana Jones fantasy. Set in an ancient desert ruled by the Mummy Lord Ankhtepot, the adventuring party can explore long-lost tombs, sprawling desert sands, and ancient pyramids. Har’Akir also offers interesting settlements worth investigating as well.

Ultimately, Har’Akir is a great campaign setting that’s perfect for any Dungeon Master who wants to bring some ancient Egyptian mythology into the fold of their campaign. Ankhtepot is a classically terrifying Darklord, and the hunt for the missing piece of his soul proves to be a fun adventure for players of many different levels.

7

Richemulot

Richemulot is a realm stalked by plague, famine, and disease. Naturally, plague-driven adventures can be terrifying and really captivating for a horror campaign. However, the only downside to this adventure is this brand of horror is really not for everyone tonally, since illness can easily be a motif that oversteps boundaries laid out by players’ safety tool sessions.

However, if your table is comfortable with it, the adventure in Richemulot is fascinating, and Jacqueline Renier is a great Darklord. Her characterization offers a great critique of capitalism and hoarding wealth, which can be fun to roleplay as a Dungeon Master.

6

Lamordia

Lamordia is a highly unique campaign setting with a fun flare. It offers interesting settlements and wilderness areas for players to explore and a great story at its center. The Darklord of this realm, Viktra Mordenheim, is a version of a classic Doctor Frankenstein character, experimenting with bodies and trying to cheat death.

However, what makes this adventure unique is the love story at the center of it, between Viktra and her creation Elise. Roleplaying this strange love story is a treat for any Dungeon Master. As long as your table is comfortable with body horror, the adventure that takes place in Lamordia is not one to be missed.

5

Falkovnia

For fans of zombie apocalypse stories, Falkovnia is the realm for you. In this realm, an endless infestation of zombie hoards relentlessly beseech the realm, and players will have to assist the realm’s Darklord Vladeska Drakov in defending the settlement known as Lekar. Running a siege encounter with zombies is a great challenge for any veteran Dungeon Master.

What’s perhaps most fun about this realm is that Falkovnia’s Darklord is highly sympathetic. She simply wants to defend her people and her homeland, but she does have one crucial flaw: her unwillingness to retreat. Having players roleplay with her and try to convince her to leave the realm behind undoubtedly will prove to be a great social encounter for the party to try their hand at.

4

Tepest

For anyone familiar with a certain infamous short story about winning a lottery, the premise of this next campaign setting is sure to be familiar. Tepest is a pastoral realm that evokes themes similar to that of the world of Midsommar. Ruled by a powerful hag known as Mother Lorinda, all is not as it seems in this realm.

If you’re running an adventure in Tepest, make sure players make it to the settlement known as Viktal so they can participate in the Tithe, a grim ceremony in which villagers are sacrificed. This ritual really captures the essence of Tepest, which makes for a wonderfully macabre and unique horror setting.

3

I’Cath

I’Cath is one of the most fascinating realms in Ravenloft. Taking place entirely within a single city, known as I’Cath, this realm’s citizenry is perpetually trapped inside a dreamworld in which they toil away endlessly for the glory of their malevolent leader Tsien Chiang. When players first discover this realm, they’ll find the entire populace sleeping. Only by going to sleep in the realm themselves can the party enter the dream world.

What’s most fun about this setting is that, while Ravenloft offers rules for how the dream world works, you can also homebrew this setting to your liking, allowing players to go back and forth between the dream and reality. This can create interesting puzzles, strategic thinking, and a unique adventure your party won’t soon forget.

2

Dementlieu

Dementlieu is one of the most fun and unique campaign settings not just in Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft, but in all of Dungeons & Dragons. This realm offers a dark fantasy twist on the classic tale of Cinderella, in which the party must thwart the schemes of Duchess Saidra d’Honaire by attending her weekly masquerade ball.

Exploring Dementlieu is incredibly fun, and attending the city’s masquerade ball makes for a fantastic climax for a campaign arc set in this realm. Plus, there are plenty of other interesting locales in the city for players to explore as well, including the Red Widow Theater, and the Three Odd Gables, a hag coven that takes on the role of Fairy Godmother in this twisted adventure.

1

Barovia

We saved the best for last. There’s really no other option here. Barovia is the first Domain of Dread to be created, and Strahd von Zarovich is one of the most iconic villains in all of Dungeons & Dragons. While you should really pick up a copy of Curse of Strahd if you want to run a full-fledged adventure in Barovia, Ravenloft also offers a slightly sparser adventure that you can lead players through if you only want to dip your toe into the world of vampires.

Beyond just its central villain, the story of Barovia and the land that Strahd presides over encapsulates everything we love about gothic horror: tragedy, romance, bloodlust, and more. There’s just no other realm more iconic than Barovia, making it the crown jewel in Ravenloft’s Domains of Dread.