Vecna has been stated to be in the Shadowfell in 4ed, just like he was in 2ed Ravenloft. Orcus, who is also in 4ed Shadowfell, has a history of struggle that would fit in Ravenloft very well. Plus, The Raven Queen would be excellent as the Dark Powers that bind people like Strahd to Ravenloft/Shadowfell.
The question this begs for me is how far the timeline would have advanced in world? Time flows a bit differently in Ravenloft compared to the Prime Material Plane.
That's a very valid question, but one that was still applicable in 3.5 and 3.0.
I ran a 2-year Ravenloft campaign in 3.0 and it was difficult, but possible. My advice to anyone looking to do so is to limit combats to once or twice a session - if that. There were several sessions where we didn't roll initiative at all. This is where I think 4E would be very good, since there are more robust rules for social interactions and such, plus everyone (even the fighters) will be able to contribute outside of combat.
In my Ravenloft campaign, everyone had a minimum of 4 skill points per level, and magic was scarce. Certain feats and prestige classes were simply not available if they didn't fit the theme. There is a great post on EN World about changing the Fluff of powers in 4E while keeping the crunch. Basically, it says to change the name of the power and description but keep the mechanics the same. I can't stress how much this would help keep a certain flavor in your campaign.
For example: The fighter's Tide of Iron ability allows the fighter to make an attack and push the target back 1 square. If you want this to sound a bit more barbarian-like...
Foot Stomp Fighter Attack 1
After each mighty swing, you bring your boot to the enemy chest, and use it to push it back.
At-Will ✦ Martial, Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: +7 vs. AC
Hit: 1d8+4 damage, and you push the target 1 square if it is your size, smaller than you, or one size category larger. You can shift into the space that the target occupied.
A fencer from Dementlieu or Richemulot however, might have this ability:
Press the Attack - Fighter Attack 1
You throw a flurry of blade attacks at your opponent, forcing it to go on the defensive.
At-Will ✦ Martial, Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: +7 vs. AC
Hit: 1d8+4 damage, and you push the target 1 square if it is your size, smaller than you, or one size category larger. You can shift into the space that the target occupied.
A Fencer class might be very much like the Fighter, but with more skills, lighter armor, and less heavy weapon proficiencies. Also, some abilities might be traded for new ones and many of the attacks would be using a rapier instead of any weapon - and probably use Dexterity and Intelligence instead of strength.
Of course, some house rules would have to be implemented. Perhaps some immunities would need to be brought back, but it's still too early to tell. With the right modifications, pacing, and with strong enough enemies, you will surely be able to capture the gothic horror feel. Don't forget that 4E will bring a ton of new options and abilities for monsters too - so your werewolves, loup-garou, vampires, and undead will be nastier and more unpredictable than ever.
Dang... now I want to run a 4E Ravenloft game...
For example: The fighter's Tide of Iron ability allows the fighter to make an attack and push the target back 1 square. If you want this to sound a bit more barbarian-like...
Tide or Iron requires a shield and thus isn't usable with two-handed weapons.
You might want to reconsider the balance issues of such a change.
Tide or Iron requires a shield and thus isn't usable with two-handed weapons.
You might want to reconsider the balance issues of such a change.
Sure, whatever. For a 2H weapon, maybe it provokes an Opportunity Attack, or maybe reduces your AC by 1 or 2 for a round. For the fencer, it requires a rapier being wielded.
In the grand scheme of things (and especially considering this is Ravenloft, where game balance takes a back seat to flavor and role-playing) it's not really important. Since combat is rarer and more cinematic, doing this without wielding a shield isn't going to doom your campaign.
But if I was going to run Ravenloft, I would probably just update the original module for the new rules, since it's one of my favorites of all time. Sort of a trial by fire for the PC's...before moving them along to more heroic adventures.
I love horror stories but I think they need to be mixed in with other types of adventures. My players liked my homebrew (which took them from level 1 to 11) better than XtCR. I took the old beauty and the beast tale and warped it,
tossed in Hags as the featured monster, an Evil NPC group (of spell casting borthers-which the party redeemed without violence(hows that for role playing?) and ended with a really souped up dread wraith. But in this same campaign, one player ended up inventing shower stalls (and frachising them) and another opened a restaurant. There was a St. Pattys day encounter with a leprechaun, and huge fight with a dragon. This was counterbalanced by plenty of encounters with undead, an exorcism-really creeped players out-complete with ticked off devils and a lich who sued the players in court.
This was different than XtCR which was gloom and doom from the get go. It was the lighter moments in my home brew campaign (Heart of Evil) that made the disturbing stuff really disturbing.
my 2 coppers,
Ian