My gaming group is planning to run a horror-themed one-shot (maybe three sessions max) for Halloween this year, and of course we're thinking of doing Ravenloft. The current DM is running 5th edition, so he mentioned Curse of Strahd, which I do not own. The implication is that he wants me to run it, so I said something about the original Ravenloft as I'm much more comfortable running 1st. I do have Expedition to Castle Ravenloft, but the thought of running another 3.5 game is sickening, but I think it'd be possible to use the adventure for 5th without much trouble.

So, any opinions here? I know the whole thing is insanely cliche, but I've never run any sort of of horror game before and this seems like the best way to do it.

Curse of Strahd is way too big to even try to run as a one-shot. They took the original Ravenloft and added a bunch fleshing out the countryside. Whether they did a good job or not isn't something I'm going to try and argue; I just don't think it'll fit your needs for a one-shot game.

I'd recommend going to a used bookstore, picking up the first Ravenloft novel and maybe I, Strahd. Then read them.

Quote from: Krimson;1044100I'd recommend going to a used bookstore, picking up the first Ravenloft novel and maybe I, Strahd. Then read them.

I already have the original module, and I've read it several times, just never played or ran it.

I own both but have only used the 1E version at the table. I find all of the 5E hard-cover adventure books - both the good ones and the bad ones - are wordy and have bad maps. The 1E boxed module and boxed set are the opposite - concise and filled with good maps and visual aids. I appreciate that CoS is better than other 5E adventures, and I generally like 5E as a system. But I wouldn't even consider running Ravenloft with materials other than the 1E stuff. It is just much better geared toward what happens at the table (as opposed to reading on the couch before or instead of gaming, which seems to be what most 'high production value' game materials are made for these days!). Why not just play 5E using the 1E materials? I prefer playing 1E, myself, but they are similar enough games in play that I'd say the system choice doesn't really matter - just go with what your group prefers.

Edit: Also, if you are committed to the idea of a one-shot, you kind of have to use the 1E materials. The 5E hard-backs are 'adventure path' style books (you can't see this at home, but I shuddered violently and reflexively spat on the floor as I wrote 'adventure path'). Even if you like those, you can't really use them to run one-shots, other than picking through them to find stat blocks or something. They are just too linear. The 1E materials have some proto-adventure path qualities (that shitty habit started early in the TSR BD+D modules), but also provide you a lot of raw material to draw on for a proper free-form adventure (i.e., actual, honest-to-god D+D session!)

Curse of Strahd is a good, if not great module, but it really is like reading a novel at times. I, too, prefer the classic Ravenloft + Gryphon Hill.

Ravenloft plays a bit more self contained, essentially a castlecrawl while Curse is more a campaign with alot to do in the area before getting to the castlecrawl. Curse is set up to take players from first level up which makes it good as a starter horror campaign.

Quote from: Brad;1044102I already have the original module, and I've read it several times, just never played or ran it.

I think the books are worth reading just to get an idea of tone. But there's no reason to not just adapt the module.

Quote from: Larsdangly;1044103Why not just play 5E using the 1E materials?

This would be my first inclination. 1e combat does play faster than 5e though so if time is an issue maybe stick with 1e.

As others have noted, the Curse of Strahd 5E hardback is clearly a campaign and not at all a one-shot. It takes many, many sessions to get through the whole thing. One option you might pursue (assuming you are okay with running 5E stuff) is to look on DM's Guild for one of the Adventurer's League adventures for the Strahd season. There are several with a nice gothic feel to them and they are designed for a 2-4 hour time slot.

Otherwise, go with the original 1E module.

Quote from: S'mon;1044215This would be my first inclination. 1e combat does play faster than 5e though so if time is an issue maybe stick with 1e.

That probably would be the best plan, especially if the books are already available.

I love Ravenloft, but the 1e modules (let alone the 5e stuff) contain too much for a one shot - especially as you'd need some game time to introduce the setting elements that are different than "regular D&D".

Also, the "horror" element in Ravenloft is far more about the GM bringing forth an atmosphere than anything in the rules. Thus, your most valuable prep time for a Ravenloft game is time spent on how you plan to bring, enhance and maintain a gothic horror ambiance at your table.

If you have time to read the books, there are some fun ones. However, you can watch some gothic horror movies and go from there.

My biggest recommendation? Dim the lights at the table.

Yeah, I think the last time I ran it, it took my players something like three sessions to get through the original Ravenloft.

Quote from: RPGPundit;1044632Yeah, I think the last time I ran it, it took my players something like three sessions to get through the original Ravenloft.

That was my estimate going through the module...I browsed Curse of Strahd at the bookstore yesterday and wow, that thing is annoyingly complex. It's a complete campaign, so yeah, I think I shall refrain.

Back in the day, it took my players about 1.5 hours of table time to finish Ravenloft.

***SPOILERS***

They find the girl Strahd is in love with. Threaten her in daylight so Strahd zooms in and attacks them. They badly wound him. Then they head off to Castle Ravenloft and reconnoitre. Find the cliffside windows to the cellar level. Rappel down, smash through the windows, find Stradh's coffin, and stake him.

We had enough time left in the evening to play a game of Conquest of the Empire.