Public (OOC) > Setting and Lore Discussion

Fear

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kunou126:
In all the source books I've been reading on Ravenloft, fear seems to be the underlying point to the setting.  Even the Paladin Class is not immune to fear in the Ravenloft setting (although we haven't actually removed the immunity from the class at this point).  You can't have gothic horror stories without fear and Ravenloft is a setting designed for characters to ultimately rot, lose hope, and desperately cling to the light at the end of the tunnel that ultimately fades out.

Please, when you make your character allow them this weakness as it is the hinge to what can make the setting truely great.  Your character is going to be living in a horror film.  Everyone around you should have a breaking point, and you should too.  No hero will survive the setting - it eats at every character's soul.

It's important to allow this transition to happen and by doing so you will contribute greatly to the setting's mystique.  Your character should come in to this realm with all the hope in the world but as a player your character's ultimate failure will be your greatest triumph.  It sounds sick and twisted, but that's the setting.

=)

Happy haunting!  *clears throat* I mean.... Happy hunting!

Bluebomber4evr:

--- Quote from: kunou126 ---Ravenloft is a setting designed for characters to ultimately rot, lose hope, and desperately cling to the light at the end of the tunnel that ultimately fades out.
--- End quote ---


While every character should experience fear and horror, this is not Call of Cthulhu. Your ultimate destiny is not to die alone in the corner whimpering (although that's always a possibility).

What makes a character a hero in the Ravenloft setting is to experience that fear and horror and overcome it. Ravenloft may be a very dark place, but it is not utterly devoid of hope. The struggle between good and evil is pronounced here, but not in the way you might think....it is not a struggle between the White Hat-wearing Good Guys(tm) and the Skull-wearing Puppy-kicking Bad Guys(tm), but a struggle between the light and dark parts in every person's soul. Fear, horror, and insanity are an important part of this struggle...cutting the chaff from the wheat, if you will. Those who experience these emotions and can overcome them have a better chance of becoming a true hero...those who fail, tempt the darkness within.

kunou126:

--- Quote from: Bluebomber4evr --- Your ultimate destiny is not to die alone in the corner whimpering (although that's always a possibility).
--- End quote ---


I hope I didn't give people that impression  :think:

He's right.  You're not suppose to cower and scream like a little girl.

Your character is like a bridge.  The setting is like a giant weight on that bridge.  Ultimately your character will do the best it can to support the weight.  Your character will bend and strain under the weight a little here and there but may hold steady.  Other times, the weight may be too much and your character will buckle and need repairs.  When fully repaired your character will be a bit different.  Perhaps stronger?  Who is to say?

Everyone changes with the events of life, your character should be no different.

Courage and Fear.  Hope and Hopelessness.  Good and Evil.  All struggle with these elements of humanity.  The conflict in Ravenloft is not only against the forces of evil, but the forces within each of us.  There is no win or lose, only trying your best.

So don't be afraid to change your character and let it grow.  It's fun to chase the paths of darkness and redemption.  Just remember, your character's soul is damned to wander in the mists forever.

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