Basically this is going to me running through some of my favourite AD&D Ravenloft modules duly converted to Shadow of the Demon Lord with some twists and changes (I would say 'improvements') both to better suit the system/setting and also to keep things a bit more modern.

The world and cosmology will be entirely the standard SotDL world right out of the core rulebook so it will be Ravenloft modules transplanted into that so no darklords (they'll just be 'normal' really powerful, really evil bad guys), no vistani (just normal travelling folk) and no mists (well, there is mist just not Mists).

Therefore no knowledge whatsoever of Ravenloft is required though I won't mind if anyone is familiar. I won't overtly state which modules are being run to preserve any surprise but I suspect that will be obvious fairly early on if you do know them! Hopefully I tinker with enough to keep them fresh even for old Ravenloft hands!

We'll start out with 0-Level characters with the plan being an advance to Novice Paths fairly early on and then with a bit more work going in (such as seeking out training and obscure side quests) to get to Expert level and beyond.

Obviously 0-level characters have little by way of 'background' but all characters need to have a reason for being on board the 'Sunset Mist' - a ship departing the city of Gateway with passengers and cargo. Could be passengers, could be crew (though not a ship's officer), could be a stowaway or any other reason you can think of. Doesn't really matter as to where they might be going - spoiler alert - you aren't going to arrive anytime soon...

I'm pretty easy on the character creation more generally. Most ancestries work with me though some, mostly the fae ones from Terrible Beauty and the really unusual ones from DLC2, would be hard to work in and others, such as the Jotun from Glorious Death, would need some explaining as to why they are so far from home. That said this isn't a veto and a good enough idea for a character can probably be worked in.

Happy either way as to if you want to design the entirety of the character, generate them entirely randomly or mix and match.

One thing worth noting is that I wouldn't worry too much about the wealth level in practical terms (obviously it goes towards the roleplaying aspect). Anything beyond starting equipment (literally the things you can hold) will be lost fairly early on.

I approve of story complications (as introduced in the Demon Lords Companion and expanded on in other material) but they aren't compulsory.

I have access to (and am therefore happy to use material from):
Corebook
Demon Lord's Companion
Demon Lord's Companion 2
Exquisite Agony
Glorious Death
Hunter in the Void
Terrible Beauty
Tombs of the Desolation
Uncertain Faith

I wouldn't rule out anything else either - you'll just need to let me know where it's from and possibly talk me through it too.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:58, Sun 03 May 2020.

Though I've not tried it yet I'm hoping the SotDL mechanics work well with play by post given there is no need to determine initiative and wait for someone else to post etc.

This bit is a work in progress and I'll update it as I think of new things to include or something comes up in play which needs addressing:

Posting

When posting speech then please used coloured text (any colour you choose) so it's clear.

Never assume actions or responses on the part of other players unless agreed with them in advance. Some assumption of reactions from NPCs (ie. "the shopkeeper recoils in disgust from the stench of his breath") is fine as, if I really don't like it for some reason, I can just edit the post.

Combat

In the likely event that combat breaks out you can post straight away if you're using a fast action and then just either post something suitably 'wait-y' (or drop a line in the OOC board) if you're holding out for a slow action.