Editing Ravenloft (section)

==Publication history==
=== 1st edition ===
The first appearance of the setting was in ''[[Ravenloft (module)|Ravenloft]]'', a stand-alone ''[[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]]'' adventure module, published in 1983.<ref>{{cite web|year=2003|title=Dungeons & Dragons FAQ|url=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnDArchives_FAQ.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000818164317/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnDArchives_FAQ.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=2000-08-18|access-date=2009-02-09|publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rateliff|first=John D|title=L2. The Assassin's Knot|url=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/dx20001229b|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010617011036/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/dx20001229b|url-status=dead|archive-date=2001-06-17|access-date=2009-08-13|publisher=Wizards of the Coast}}</ref><ref name="Hick4to6">{{cite book|last1=Hickman|first1=Tracy|title=Ravenloft|last2=Hickman|first2=Laura|publisher=[[TSR, Inc.|TSR]]|year=1983|isbn=0-88038-042-X|page=30|author-link=Tracy Hickman|author-link2=Laura Hickman}}</ref><ref>Mona, Erik; Jacobs, James; Dungeon Design Panel (2004). "The 30 Greatest D&D Adventures of All Time". Dungeon. Paizo Publishing (published November 2004) (116): 68–81.</ref> In 1984, it won the Strategists' Club Award for Outstanding Play Aid.<ref name="HW">{{cite book|last=Schick|first=Lawrence|title=Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games|publisher=Prometheus Books|year=1991|isbn=0-87975-653-5|page=102|author-link=Lawrence Schick}}</ref> It was popular enough to spawn a 1986 sequel, ''[[Ravenloft II: The House on Gryphon Hill]]'', and an [[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Gamebooks]] novel, ''Master of Ravenloft'', the same year.<ref name="HW" /><ref name="WD87">{{cite journal|last=Sargent|first=Carl|author-link=Carl Sargent|date=March 1987|title=Open Box: ''AD&D'' Adventures|journal=[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]]|publisher=[[Games Workshop]]|issue=87|pages=2–3}}</ref><ref>Bulmahn, Jason; Jacobs, James; Mike McArtor; Mona, Erik; Schneider, F. Wesley; Todd Stewart; Jeremy Walker (September 2007). "1d20 Villains: D&D's Most Wanted; Preferably Dead". Dragon. Pazio. 32(4) (359): 54–69.</ref>

=== 2nd edition ===
Ravenloft was launched as a full-fledged campaign setting, for ''AD&D'' 2nd Edition, in 1990,<ref name="history">{{cite web|title=The History of TSR|url=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnDArchives_History.asp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924195557/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnDArchives_History.asp|archive-date=2008-09-24|access-date=2005-08-20|publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]]}}</ref> with the ''[[Ravenloft: Realm of Terror|Realm of Terror]]'' boxed set, popularly known as the "Black Box", and winner of the [[Origins Award]] in 1991 for "Best Graphic Presentation of a Roleplaying Game, Adventure, or Supplement of 1990".<ref>{{cite web|title=Origins Award Winners (1990)|url=http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/1990|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105015050/http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/1990 <!--bot-retrieved archive-->|archive-date=2007-11-05|access-date=2007-10-29|publisher=Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design}}</ref>

The campaign setting was revised twice during ''AD&D'' 2nd Edition: first as the ''Ravenloft Campaign Setting'' or "Red Box", then as the ''Domains of Dread'' hardback.

In 1994, Ravenloft spun off into a sub-setting called ''[[Masque of the Red Death (Ravenloft)|Masque of the Red Death]]'', set on Gothic Earth, an [[Edgar Allan Poe]]-influenced [[Alternate history|alternative Earth]] of the 1890s, where fantasy creatures and magic exist in the shadows of civilization.<ref>{{cite book|last=Connors|first=William|title=Masque of the Red Death and Other Tales|title-link=Masque of the Red Death and Other Tales|year=1994|publisher=[[TSR, Inc.]]|isbn=1-56076-877-0|author-link=William W. Connors}}</ref>

TSR also published a series of novels set in Ravenloft. Each was typically focused on one of the Darklords that inhabited the Ravenloft world, with several focusing on the figure of Count Strahd von Zarovich. Many of these early novels were by authors who would later receive wider fame as horror/dark fantasy authors. These authors have included [[Elaine Bergstrom]], [[P. N. Elrod]], [[Christie Golden]], and [[Laurell K. Hamilton]].<ref name="contemp">{{cite journal|date=January 1, 2007|title=Golden, Christie 1963–|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G2-2591000055.html|url-status=dead|journal=[[Contemporary Authors]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921212020/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G2-2591000055.html|archive-date=2014-09-21|access-date=2012-09-27|via=[[HighBeam Research]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Melton|first=J. Gordon|url=http://www.visibleink.com/title.php?id=41|title=The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead|year=1994|publisher=Visible Ink Press|isbn=0-8103-2295-1|location=Detroit|page=852|author-link=J. Gordon Melton}}</ref>

=== 3rd and 3.5 edition ===
A major revision of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' was released in 2000, the first edition published by [[Wizards of the Coast]] (which had acquired TSR in 1997).<ref name="Gygax-GygaxFAQ">{{cite web|title=What Happened to Gygax - TSR?|url=http://www.gygax.com/gygaxfaq.html#What%20Happened%20to%20Gygax%20-%20TSR?|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990128161605/http://www.gygax.com/gygaxfaq.html#What%20Happened%20to%20Gygax%20-%20TSR?|archive-date=1999-01-28|access-date=2006-07-04|publisher=gygax.com}}</ref> In the same year, Wizards of the Coast licensed the Ravenloft brand to [[White Wolf Publishing]].<ref>{{cite web|title=White Wolf To Publish Ravenloft|url=https://icv2.com/articles/games/view/160/white-wolf-to-publish-ravenloft|access-date=2020-12-29|website=icv2.com|language=en}}</ref> Under its [[Sword & Sorcery Studios]] (and later [[White Wolf Publishing#Imprints and labels|Arthaus]] imprints), White Wolf Publishing released the 3rd Edition [[d20 System]] ''[[Ravenloft (Sword and Sorcery Studios)|Ravenloft Campaign Setting]]'' (2001)<ref>{{Cite book|last=Cermak|first=Andrew|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/48893605|title=Ravenloft Campaign Setting – Core Rulebook (3e)|publisher=Sword & Sorcery|others=Mangrum, John W., Wyatt, Andrew.|year=2001|isbn=1-58846-075-4|location=Renton, WA|pages=8–18|oclc=48893605}}</ref> and the 3.5 Edition ''Ravenloft Player's Handbook'' (2003).

The campaign settings published by White Wolf introduced a number of alterations, many due to conflicts with existing Wizards of the Coast [[intellectual property]]. Specific references to ''D&D''-specific deities were replaced with new names in the White Wolf Ravenloft settings (for example, Bane was changed to the Lawgiver). The license to the Ravenloft [[trademark]] reverted to Wizards of the Coast on August 15, 2005, but White Wolf retained the right to continue to sell its back stock until June 2006. The timing of this reversion meant that the Ravenloft supplement ''[[Rudolph van Richten|Van Richten]]'s Guide to the Mists'' did not see print. Instead, it was released by White Wolf as a free download in late September 2005.<ref>{{cite web|title=Van Richten's Guide to the Mists|url=http://download.white-wolf.com/download/download.php?file_id=410|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060723064753/http://download.white-wolf.com/download/download.php?file_id=410|archive-date=2006-07-23}}</ref> The majority of the ''Van Richten's Guide'' series had already been published by TSR in the 1990s, before White Wolf's involvement.

In October 2006, Wizards of the Coast released ''Expedition to Castle Ravenloft'', a hardcover version of the original 1st Ed. adventure, updated for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' v.3.5 rule set.<ref name="stormgiantgames">{{cite web|date=January 3, 2020|title=Everything You Need To Know About Ravenloft|url=https://www.stormgiantgames.com/posts/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ravenloft|access-date=2020-12-29|website=Storm Giant Games|language=en-US}}</ref> This version includes maps from the original ''Ravenloft'' adventure, and new character-generation options. ''Expedition to Castle Ravenloft'' is a stand-alone supplement set for any ''D&D'' worlds, and only requires the three core books for usage. This book's setting is distinct from the Ravenloft of the White Wolf product line.<ref>{{cite web|title=Product Spotlight: Expedition to Castle Ravenloft|url=http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd%2Fps%2F20061006a|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726065822/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd%2Fps%2F20061006a|archive-date=2014-07-26|access-date=2019-08-24}}</ref> Shannon Appelcline, author of ''Designers & Dragons'', highlighted that by 2006 people were beginning to wonder if Wizards of the Coast might be preparing a fourth edition of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' and stated that "the release of ''Expedition to Castle Ravenloft'' (2006) might just have offered another clue to the changing winds that lay ahead. First, it was a new line for 3.5e, suggesting that their original series of 3.5e books was coming to an end. Second, it was a fond look back at one of the most notable adventures from the ''AD&D'' days, just the sort of thing that Wizards published in the waning days of 2e".<ref name="designers">{{Cite book|author=Shannon Appelcline|title=Designers & Dragons|publisher=Mongoose Publishing|year=2011|isbn=978-1-907702-58-7}}</ref>{{rp|294}} Appelcline later noted that, once fourth edition was officially announced, "the ''Expedition'' books that had begun publication in 2006 were revealed to indeed be part of Wizard's slow slide into 4e".<ref name="designers" />{{rp|295}}

=== 4th edition ===
In 2007, Wizards of the Coast announced the printing of two new Ravenloft novels for 2008, ''Black Crusade'' and ''The Sleep of Reason'',<ref>{{cite web|title=Fiction – Dungeons & Dragons|url=http://ww2.wizards.com/Books/Wizards/?doc=main_2008ravenlofttitles|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070519211214/http://ww2.wizards.com/Books/Wizards/?doc=main_2008ravenlofttitles|archive-date=2007-05-19|access-date=2007-10-23|work=ww2.wizards.com|publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]]}}</ref> fueling more speculation. A short story by [[Ari Marmell]], "Before I Wake", based on the realms of Darkon, Lamordia, and Bluetspur was released on October 31, 2007, on the Wizards of the Coast website as a special for Halloween; it featured characters inspired by [[H. P. Lovecraft]] and [[Clark Ashton Smith]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Before I Wake|url=http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd%2F4dnd%2F20071031a|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603105439/https://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd%2F4dnd%2F20071031a|archive-date=2009-06-03|access-date=2020-01-15}}</ref>

In 2008, Ravenloft was revealed to be re-introduced to 4th edition of ''Dungeons & Dragons'', as was depicted in the October issue of the ''Dragon'' online magazine.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}} The ''Dungeons & Dragons'' 4th edition supplement ''[[Manual of the Planes#Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition|Manual of the Planes]]'' (2008) established that in the [[retconned]] cosmology, the Domains of Dread (and by extension the Ravenloft setting) were now located within the [[Plane (Dungeons & Dragons)#The Shadowfell|Shadowfell]], a mirror-plane of death and gloom lying adjacent to the mortal realm.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Baker|first=Richard|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1090865842|title=Manual of the Planes|publisher=Wizards of the Coast|year=2008|isbn=978-0-7869-5002-7|location=Renton, Wash.|page=51|language=en|oclc=1090865842}}</ref><ref name="Hoffer">{{cite web|last=Hoffer|first=Christian|date=January 25, 2019|title='Dungeons & Dragons' Unofficially Returns to the Shadowfell With New Supplement|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-and-dragons-shadowfell/|access-date=2021-02-24|website=ComicBook.com|language=en}}</ref> While a 4th edition update to the Ravenloft setting was announced at [[Gen Con]] 2010,<ref>{{cite web|date=August 9, 2010|title=D&D Podcast: D&D Preview Show Gen Con 2010|url=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4pod/gencondnd|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221103510/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4pod/gencondnd|archive-date=2010-12-21|access-date=2020-12-29|website=Wizards of the Coast}}</ref> the product was never released.<ref name="stormgiantgames"/>

In 2010, Ravenloft was the setting for the ''[[Castle Ravenloft Board Game]]''.<ref name="dmsguild">{{cite web|last=Appelcline|first=Shannon|title=RM4 House of Strahd (2e) - Wizards of the Coast {{!}} Product History|url=https://www.dmsguild.com/product/17503/RM4-House-of-Strahd-2e|access-date=2020-12-29|website=Dungeon Masters Guild|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ewalt|first=David M.|date=May 23, 2011|title=Take A Dungeon Crawl With The Castle Ravenloft Board Game|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2011/05/23/take-a-dungeon-crawl-with-the-castle-ravenloft-board-game/|access-date=2020-12-29|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref> Ravenloft also appeared in official magazine articles, such as, ''[[Dungeon (magazine)|Dungeon]]'' #207 "Fair Barovia" (October 2012)<ref>{{cite web|title=Fair Barovia {{!}} Article {{!}} RPGGeek|url=https://rpggeek.com/rpgissuearticle/125882/fair-barovia|access-date=2020-12-29|website=rpggeek.com|language=en-US}}</ref> and ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #416 "History Check: Strahd and Van Richten" (October 2012).<ref>{{cite web|title=History Check: Strahd and Van Richten {{!}} Article {{!}} RPGGeek|url=https://rpggeek.com/rpgissuearticle/126154/history-check-strahd-and-van-richten|access-date=2020-12-29|website=rpggeek.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== 5th edition ===
In 2016, Barovia (one of the main locations within Ravenloft) was the main setting for adventure module ''[[Curse of Strahd]]'' which acts as an adaptation of the original ''Ravenloft'' module for the [[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition|5th edition]] of ''Dungeons & Dragons''.<ref name="polygon">{{cite web|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2016-01-18|title=D&D's Ravenloft returns with the help of its original creators|url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/1/18/10777502/d-ds-ravenloft-returns-with-the-help-of-its-original-creators|access-date=2020-08-21|website=Polygon|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Curse of Strahd – Dungeons & Dragons|url=http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/curse-strahd|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121045100/http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/curse-strahd|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 21, 2016|work=[[Wizards of the Coast]]}}</ref> The adventure states: "The lands of Barovia are from a forgotten world in the D&D multiverse [...]. In time, cursed Barovia was torn from its home world by the Dark Powers and bound in mist as one of the Domains of Dread in the Shadowfell".<ref name="Curse"/> The module was developed in-house by the Wizards of the Coast team, led by [[Chris Perkins (game designer)|Christopher Perkins]], with story contributions by original creators Tracy and Laura Hickman.<ref name="polygon"/><ref name="Curse">{{Cite book|last1=Perkins|first1=Christopher|title=Curse of Strahd|last2=Crawford|first2=Jeremy|last3=Mearls|first3=Mike|publisher=Wizards of the Coast, Inc.|year=2016|isbn=9780786965984|series=D&D 5th edition|location=Renton, Washington|page=5|oclc=944137375}}</ref> Charlie Hall, for ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'', explained that "instead of reinventing the wheel, {{sic|principle|expected=principal}} designer Chris Perkins brought in the module's original writers — the husband and wife team of Tracy and Laura Hickman — to create the very best version of the famous module yet. [...] Tracy and Laura have been hosting nearly annual sessions of the original ''Ravenloft'' at their home, for friends and family, over the course of decades. When Perkins asked for their input, they flew out to meet with the team. The result was a torrent of ideas for new locations, characters and encounters".<ref name="polygon"/> Ravenloft was also the setting of the [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] comic ''[[Dungeons & Dragons (IDW Publishing)#Shadows of the Vampire|Dungeons and Dragons: Shadows of the Vampire]]'' (2016) written by [[Jim Zub]], and illustrated by Max Dunbar and Nelson Daniel.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Gavin |date=May 10, 2020 |title=We Review Dungeons & Dragons: Days Of Endless Adventure |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/we-review-dungeons-dragons-days-of-endless-adventure/ |access-date=2021-04-01 |website=bleedingcool.com}}</ref>

Wizards of the Coast released a new edition of the ''Curse of Strahd'' module, entitled ''Curse of Strahd: Revamped'',<ref name="ign">{{cite web|date=2020-07-29|title=Dungeons & Dragons: Curse of Strahd Revamped Announced for October Release|url=https://in.ign.com/tabletop-1/149412/news/dungeons-dragons-curse-of-strahd-revamped-announced-release|access-date=2020-10-23|website=IGN India|language=en-in}}</ref> on October 20, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Curse of Strahd Revamped|url=https://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/curse-strahd-revamped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803112509/https://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/curse-strahd-revamped|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 3, 2020|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[Wizards of the Coast]]}}</ref> This module is the first released with the publisher's new focus on diversity and inclusion.<ref name="polygon2">{{cite web|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2020-07-31|title=One of Dungeons & Dragons' best campaigns is getting two extravagant new reprints|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/31/21349378/dungeons-and-dragons-curse-of-strahd-revamped-beadle-grimms-halloween|access-date=2020-10-23|website=Polygon|language=en}}</ref> Wizards of the Coast stated that "the adventure includes the latest [[Erratum|errata]] and a revised depiction of the Vistani" who are based on stereotypes about the [[Romani people]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Macgregor|first=Jody|date=2020-08-03|title=Popular D&D tabletop campaign Curse of Strahd is being re-'vamped'|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/popular-dandd-tabletop-campaign-curse-of-strahd-is-being-re-vamped/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=PC Gamer|language=en-US}}</ref>

Wizards of the Coast released a new Ravenloft campaign sourcebook, ''[[Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft]]'' (2021), which introduces other Domains of Dread to the edition.<ref name="polygon3">{{cite web|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2021-02-23|title=Next Dungeons & Dragons campaign book reboots the many realms of Ravenloft|url=https://www.polygon.com/2021/2/23/22295817/dungeons-dragons-ravenloft-reboot-van-richtens-guide-release-date-price|access-date=2021-02-23|website=Polygon|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Whitbrook|first=James|date=February 23, 2021|title=How Dungeons & Dragons' Next Sourcebook Expands Its View of Horror|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/how-dungeons-dragons-next-sourcebook-expands-its-view-1846309760|access-date=2021-02-23|website=io9|language=en-us}}</ref> It was published on May 18, 2021.<ref name="polygon4">{{cite web|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2021-05-12|title=Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft is the biggest, best D&D book of this generation|url=https://www.polygon.com/22430494/dungeons-dragons-van-richtens-guide-to-ravenloft-review|access-date=2021-05-13|website=Polygon|language=en}}</ref> The limited series comic ''[[Dungeons & Dragons (IDW Publishing)#Ravenloft: Orphan of Agony Isle|Ravenloft: Orphan of Agony Isle]]'' (2022), by writer Casey Gilley and artist Bayleigh Underwood, then featured the mad scientist Viktra Mordenheim, the Darklord of Ravenloft's Lamordia domain introduced in ''Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft''.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Doran |first1=Michael |date=2022-05-27 |title=Explore the gothic horror realm of Dungeons & Dragons in Ravenloft - Orphan of Agony Isle |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/explore-the-gothic-horror-realm-of-dungeons-and-dragons-in-ravenloft-orphan-of-agony-isle/ |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 29, 2022 |title=Comic Book Reviews for This Week: 6/29/2022 |url=https://comicbook.com/comics/news/new-comic-reviews-dc-marvel-image-june-29-2022/ |access-date=October 27, 2022 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en}}</ref> The novel ''Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd'' (2025), by [[Delilah S. Dawson]], was the first Ravenloft novel to be published in 17 years.<ref name="Law-2025">{{Cite web |last=Law |first=Eric |date=March 5, 2025 |title=Dungeons and Dragons Adapting Popular Campaign Into a Novel |url=https://gamerant.com/dungeons-and-dragons-ravenloft-heir-of-strahd-popular-campaign-novel/ |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=[[Game Rant]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Rusak-2025">{{Cite web |last=Rusak |first=Rotem |date=May 8, 2025 |title=DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: RAVENLOFT: HEIR OF STRAHD Exclusive Excerpt |url=https://nerdist.com/article/dungeons-dragons-ravenloft-heir-of-the-strahd-exclusive-excerpt/ |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=[[Nerdist]] |language=en-US}}</ref>