Tomes of Ravenloft: Books, Letters, and Proclamations for Curse of Strahd by Christian Eichhorn (@squirrelgolem)
CW: Horror, Graphic Descriptions
Tomes of Ravenloft is a collection of twenty three player handouts intended to enrich a Curse of Strahd campaign. The entries marked with a * in the Table of Contents are books or letters native to the campaign. They were mentioned somewhere in the text but had no substance—until now.
The other entries are completely new creations.
This is a seriously impressive collection of in universe artefacts that run the gamut from providing substance for off-hand referenced already existing titles to new writings created whole cloth for this supplement, which provide a wealth of lore, inspiration, seeds and hooks, mechanical benefits, and even some tasty snacks!
With locations they can be found suggested, these pages are ready for printing and guaranteed to get a great reaction from your players and add all manner of flavour to your Curse of Strahd and Ravenloft games!
• The Abbot’s Letter to Vasili. A letter explaining the Abbot’s thoughts about his life choices, linking him to Vasili von Holtz and the Belview family.
A nice glimpse of their relationship or at least the Abbot’s perspective on Strahd/ Vasili.
• The Anti God. A heretical text about the gods. Offers insights on the inner workings of the world and the gods.
Very interesting and will definitely spark interest and discourse between the more and less religious elements of your party.
• Baking (for) Children. A collection of recipes by and for hags. Offers insights on baking and benefits checks using cook’s utensils. Can be found in Old Bonegrinder or in Castle Ravenloft near the cauldron. You can try out the recipes at home, only switch bone flour for regular flour.
In universe document that contains actual recipes (though perhaps use an alternative to boneflour).
• Balinok Mountains Survey Report. A survey commissioned by King Barov before the invasion. Offers a quest hook to prospect for gold in Lake Luna and information about the Amber Temple.
There’s gold in them there hills and this might inspire your party to try and mine it, which could set up all manner of fun.
• Barovian Home Remedies. A hodgepodge of questionable tips and remedies for real and imaginary ailments.
Despite the mechanical benefits, the remedies aren’t guaranteed, but will certainly make for interesting sidequests if carried out.
• The Blade of Truth. Accounts of Inquisitors Zeke Ulmist.
Owning heretics with facts and logic, as well as a fascinating new take on the chicken, egg and becoming more powerful that the gods Dilemma.
• Castle Building 101. A book about the basics of building castles.
A practical manual and an amusing read. An extract from chapter 1 is provided. If the rest is like this, I’d read the whole book!
• The Devil We Know Poems by Lady Fiona Wachter
Ribald, silly and fun poems from Vallaki’s favourite book club host.
• Embalming: The Lost Art. A paper detailing advanced embalming techniques. Interesting conversation topic for parties.
A Thayan guide to getting the most out of your dead workforce.
• From the Life of Saint Markovia. A book detailing the life and death of Saint Markovia.
Not only will this help you find the body of the saint, but it will fill in some if they Backstory to boot!
• Goats of the Balinok Mountains. A paper about goats.
You will be relieved to know the little bleaters are thriving, as well as prospects of treasure and mounts.
• The Grimoire of the Four Quarters. A book detailing ways to summon and negotiate with devils.
A ritual guide to summoning Devils with good reviews from the Wachter book group.
• Hymns to the Dawn. A volume of chants to the Morninglord.
Sing Lathander! Sing Lathander! Sing Lathander to the Lord of Morning!
• Killing the Devil. A pamphlet that hangs in Vallaki’s dark alleys.
Fuck Strahd, I won’t do what he tells me!
A hook that could be a trap or a way to meet the resistance.
• Legends From the Svalich Woods. A book featuring dark stories about the Svalich Woods.
Improve your knowledge of the scary forests of Barovia and read a creepy tale that could spark a quest.
• Life Among the Undead. A tragic story, written by one “Vasili von Holtz.”
An insight into the mind of Strahd. If one writes about themself as another persona and publishes it under that pseudonym, is it a self insert fanfic about the self?
• The Oath Celestial. A historical book about the knights of the Holy Empire of Valentia.
An interesting history of an even older order of knights that could give you the edge when dealing with the Order of the Silver Dragon.
• Rictavio’s Journal
A couple of hare-raising pages from the ridiculous diary of Rictavio, showing Van Richten’s inner party boy.
• Rituals for Mother Night. A book containing rituals to interact with Mother Night.
These grim and gritty rituals are a creepy thing to come across, but each grant their own boons of enacted correctly.
• Van Richten’s Guide to Lycanthropy and Vampirism.
A book containing information on vampires and lycanthropes.
Mechanical and practical help for the Barovian on the go.
• Travel Guide: Balinokova. A guide with information about Barovia before Strahd invaded.
Move aside Volo, there’s a new (old) kiss and tell all travel writer in town! Love to see the contrast between sunny Balinokova and the Domain of Dread, Barovia.
• Von Holtz’s Letter to Lovina
A glimpse of the sensitive side to the abusive monster that is Von Holtz/ Strahd.
• Wolf’s Head Jamboree
A proclamation for the Vallaki event the party just missed. Free pikes!
This is a seriously impressive and rich collection of fun, informative and impactful writings that will certainly spark joy!
Credits
Author: Christian Eichhorn
Editor: John Parker
My Affiliate Link: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/356173/Tomes-of-Ravenloft--A-Curse-of-Strahd-Supplement?affiliate_id=1507682
|