Domains of Dread

Campaign Setting

Our Campaign, The Fractured Shield, is set within the Demiplanes of Dread or what is more commonly known as Ravenloft. Each Domain of Dread within Ravenloft is surrounded by a Misty border, trapping the rulers or Darklords of these Domains within. The imprisonment of these Darklords is not commonly known among the citizens of the Domains of Dread. It is a rare individual that discovers that these individuals have been imprisoned and even rarer still are those that manage to survive after obtaining this knowledge.
The Domains of Dread vary as much as the Darklords that rule over them. Some lands are humid cypress swamps (e.g., Souragne) and others are cold, bleak landscapes (e.g., Lamorida). Any and all climates and ecologies can be encountered when traveling through the Domains of Dread. The one thing they all have in common is a sense of dread and horror. There are unimaginable horrors within each Domain, those horrors often mirroring the nature of the Darklords that rule over them.
Each Domain of Dread has its own style of government, unique language, and laws associated with them. This makes things difficult for most travelers who likely do not understand the local language (though most citizens of the Domains of Dread know common as well as the language unique to their Domain) or may break a law without realizing they are doing so. Religious beliefs also vary among the Domains. Lamorida, for example, has no organized religion and the people put their faith in science. The Domain of Darkon, on the other hand, has two popular religions among its people, the Church of Ezra and The Eternal Order. Ezra is one of the few deities that is worshiped throughout the Domains of Dread with some form of that religion appearing in most Domains.
Traveling from one Domain to another is not a simple matter in Ravenloft. Though some Domains share borders with others, the nature of the Mist does not guarantee travelers will arrive at their intended destination. The Mists are known to descend upon individuals traveling in one Domain and deposit them in another without warning. Unseen horrors are said to dwell within the Mists and attack weary travelers either brave or foolish enough to attempt to traverse them. It is said that only the bands of mystics, musicians and entertainers known as the Vistani can travel safely through the Mists. It is uncertain why this is so, but the Vistani are seen throughout the Domains of Dread traveling from one Domain to another within their brightly colored Vardos.

Player Characters

The players for the The Fractured Shield are new to 5e Dungeons and Dragons, so we are mostly sticking to player character options, spells, and abilities provided in the Player's Handbook. However, the use of abilities that are contained within any supplements to 5e are reviewed by the Game Master on a case-by-case basis.
Since the Domains of Dread is a horror campaign, the Game Master will check in with the players on a regular basis to ensure the players are having fun. Horror games can get overwhelming at times and though the Game Master and players are encouraged to keep the horror feel in mind while role playing, adding some humor and light once in a while to break up the dreadful atmosphere is important and gives the characters something to fight for.

Non-Player Characters

During the course of the game the players will encounter a cast of characters, either locals from the Domains they find themselves within or travelers such as themselves. These individuals have their own agendas, which may aid or hinder the players depending on how they interact with them. The Game Master will add to and edit the Non-Player Character page as the players meet them.

Fractured Shield
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