It’s been nearly ten years since the release of Curse Of Strahd, the most popular 5e module to date, and we’ve just seen Von Zarovich’s face pop up again with the announcement on the D&D 2026 roadmap. The Season Of Dread will bring 5e 2024 back to Ravenloft content with Ravenloft: The Horrors Within, and it’s gotten plenty of players thinking about another dive into the mists very soon.
Now, I love Curse Of Strahd. I possibly love Curse Of Strahd a bit too much.
I’ve played four CoS campaigns, and run one. I’ve experienced two TPKs, killed the lord of Barovia twice, and forced other members of the GZ team to listen to be yap about what my adventuring party did last session many times. I will doubtlessly have plenty to talk about in regards to that module specifically. Today though, I want to talk about the domains beyond Curse Of Strahd. Barovia is but one of dozens of similar demiplanes, known collectively as the Domains Of Dread. With new content on the way for Ravenloft in 5e 2024, now might be the perfect time to look further afield. Here are five best Domains Of Dread to set a campaign in, other than Curse Of Strahd’s Barovia. I’ve also included the best comparisons to existing IPs I can think of for each, so you have a good point of reference.
Five Best Domains Of Dread To Set A Campaign In (Other Than Curse Of Strahd’s Barovia)
All of the mentioned domains here come from Van Richten’s Guide To Ravenloft. This is based in 5e 2014, but it would more or less carry over fine to 2024 as most of the content is more to do with lore, flavour and slightly novel mechanics. The book itself goes into a lot more detail on each of the Domains, though unlike Curse Of Strahd you won’t find a full campaign there. Take them as a frame to build on (or to ask your friendly local DM very nicely about running a campaign in).
Some spoilers for the campaigns in the text, so if you don’t want to know anything about the potential plot threads, just take your pick from the ‘vibes’ bit.
Lamordia
- Vibes: Frankenstein, Empire Of Corpses
Mad scientists, reanimated corpses, steampunk aesthetic. If you’ve ever wanted a Frankenstein-inspired campaign then the spot for that is Lamordia, a frigid place of harsh weather, and lax approaches to medical ethics. This vaguely Victorian hellscape sees bodies as an affordable commodity for labour, and considers necromancy and flesh golems a modern convenience. This world is controlled from the shadows by Dr Viktra Mordenheim, (Viktra, Victor, I see what you did there.) a ‘brilliant’ (read ‘insane’) scientist who, like Strahd, has a largely unwilling target for her obsession. In Mordenheim’s case it’s a woman named Elise, who she managed to bring back from the dead with her greatest creation, The Unbreakable Heart. Elise is not overjoyed by this. Her and Ireena Kolyana could really relate.
Being all about unethical science, Lamordia also comes with its own mechanics related to the good doctor getting her hands on any PCs and making… a few minor adjustments. Who wouldn’t want their brain put inside an Animated Armor?
Tepest
- Vibes: Midsommar, The Ritual, The Wicker Man
While most inhabitants of the Domains Of Dread seem openly miserable in their lot, (Who wouldn’t be?) a party arriving in the domain of Tepest might be surprised to stumble upon fields overflowing with crops, and happy farmers going about their day. The people of Viktal are safe, they say. They’re protected by a goddess. She gives them safety, and makes their crops grow. She even makes them children, they say as they point out someone with green skin and branches in their hair. All she asks, is an occasional sacrifice.
Tepest is THE place for a kind of European folk horror campaign. While Barovia’s Lord is a vampire, this domain is ruled over by a powerful hag. Mother
