Let's make BORCA in 5e!
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- "Then, venom, to thy work!" So writes the Bard in one of the western canon's most famous tales of intrigue, and so goes our twisted web of betrayal in the most gothic of Ravenloft Domains: BORCA!
Also, reskinning a hydra to be a plant monster? that's smart!
Thanks so much! I cannot take full credit for the idea, however; there's a monster in Nerzugal's Dungeon Master Toolkit 3, called the Venus Flydra, and it's from that book that I took the illustration in the video. I'm very glad that my choice to select it was a good one, though! Thanks again for watching, and cheers!
This might be my favorite of all the Ravenloft adventures you’ve done. I don’t know why naming gets so crazy in the new editions tho, like we try to overwrite existing lore. There is already a living weapon Emordenung in Borca named Nostalia, and the Nobriskov family exists but the lord is a werebat not a werewolf. This new Ivan is actually more terrifying than ever as he encompasses my two greatest fears which are being trapped in my own body and enduring a second childhood. I’ve seen family members go through these horrors because of stroke and Alzheimer’s and he is suitably spooky in this form. Well done overall, 4 blood droplets out of 5.
Thank you so much! I am honored and sated alike by the offering of four blood droplets! 🩸🦇
I agree, too, that the new Ivan is much, much scarier than in previous editions. It is funny, yeah, that the same characters get re-imagined in 5e from before; I find it fun, in the same way that I enjoy remixes of, say, Marvel characters in alternative timelines or issues/episodes of "What If...?"
This episode probably took longer to write than any other Ravenloft adventure video. The plot structure had to be complex, since I wanted to include as many betrayals, double-crosses, and intrigues as I could! I'm glad to see it's well-appreciated!
Thanks once again for watching, and for your feedback. Best wishes, and cheers!
So Borca is one of my favorite domains. So various thoughts and as usual I am going to mention the stuff from the previous versions since I know and like them best.
First in regards to the two darklords. Ivan used to rule his own domain, Dorvinia, before the great upheaval. After that his domain merged with Ivana's domain of Borca. Also Ivana wasn't the first darklord of Borca, that being her mother Camille Boritisi. One thing I don't like about 5e is that they made Ivan an old man. I prefer him a younger man. The personalities are much the same, but just preferences. Also I like him having a role with the theater and Opera which are popular in Borca. Though I prefer Ivan to not be so childish as you had him in the adventure. He is often like a pyscotic theater director, making people do a scene a hundred times to get him to love him, and jealous if others like things too much and furious if they aren't interested enough.
The 3rd edition Gazetteer IV has a very good write up on Borca. Aside from the mentioned love of theater and the arts, there is also the fact that everyone is literally indentured to someone else with the exception of the two darklords, thanks to indentures. these contracts bind Borcan society together. There is also the Church of Ezra which is the dominate religion, in past editions the faith was a LN religion, and its described a bit like the medieval catholic church both good and bad.
It also mentions the various cities and towns in Borca. You got Levekrest, the seat of the Church of Ezra where the Preasidia/Preasidius rules from. Levekrest is also not far from Ivana's estate of Misericordia. There is the city of Lechberg famous for its many theaters and opera houses, including the Sommilet theater which has the stage's back open to the elements for a view of the mountains behind it. Lechberg used to be the capital of Dorvinia, so unsurprisingly Ivan's estate of Degravo is within the area. Other towns exist like Ilvin, Sturben, Vor Ziyden which all have fun elements.
One of the interesting and cool things about Borca is how in previous editions it was tied to a lot of domains. There is history with Barovia due to Leo Dilisynia, ties to Dementlieu, Richemulot, Mordent, and Falkovnia due to the treaty of four towers against Falkovnia; which also had some ties to Invidia due to Malocchio's alliance with Falkovnia. Also as thanks to the Church of Ezra, other lands such as Darkon, where the Church has a presence would have visiting priests and pilgrims in Borca.
On to the adventure itself.
I am not sure if your Nostalia is meant to be a different character from Nostalia Romaine or not, I would imagine so. Nostalia Romaine though is a fun character, aside from being Ivana's main assassin and the first Ermordenung; So her very skin is poisonous. There is some suggestion that Nostalia Romaine and Ivana are lovers, which is an element I like as it humanizes both of them in having people they do care about despite one being a muderous assassin and the other being a darklord.
If you are using the Core, like i would do, then all the sea monsters that Olmo is showing off is easy to justify. He can mention about Sailing the Sea of Sorrows, the Nocturnal Sea, Musarde River(basically Ravenlofts version of the Danube considering that it flows through pretty much every domain west of Borca).
There were elements of Borca you didn't include, notably the Church of Ezra, which I would include, as well as the more urban environments. Which is something that I like. Particularly if you are used to other lands, ie Barovia, the urban renaissance Italy style of towns that make up Borca should be a fun change of pace.
One thing that is mentioned in the gaz 4 notes on the Fraternity of shadows site that I like is the couple of Rozalina and Elgin Dezuni. The two are in true love with one another. Unfortunately Ivana made them both Ermordenung, which deprives them of the simple joys of being able to touch one another. The two work for Ivana and when they are sent to kill someone they deliberately try to arrange the murder so that they can stare deeply into each other's eyes.
Thank you once again, for the detailed info about the 2e Domain of Dread!
My apologies for not getting back to you until now; I knew the comment was there, but it's quite a substantive one, and I was occupied for a couple of weeks with travel to the other side of the US.
Yes, you are correct that the Nostalia in my adventure is inspired by the Nostalia who is an enmordenung (murdered) in 2e, and also that my choice in characters is largely a "remix" of old themes!
I didn't want to stick to 2e lore in this adventure, although you in particular may enjoy a video coming very soon, which is based on a 2e Domain that didn't make it to 5e!
Yes, I absolutely love the 3.5e gazetteers, and always read the appropriate sections before writing a corresponding video! My favorite gazetteer entry concerns a Domain, which most dwellers of the 2e Core cannot easily reach, even by Ravenloft standards, and which yet lies at the Core's center...!
Thank you very much, once again, for the thoughtful and informative comment! Best wishes, and cheers!
I really like the "Inspirational media" section of the videos. My lists of to-read and to-see grows!
As always, a fantastic breakdown of a domain of dread and fantastic adventure ideas! this channel is criminally underrated.
Thank you so much for saying so, and thank you so much for watching! I'm glad these adventure ideas are appealing and useful. Best wishes, and cheers!
I read Borca and I weep for the criminally underappreciated Degenesis: Rebirth.
Great video! Love your research and indication of reference material and sources of inspiration for the domain and its darklords.
Thank you so much! And great job on your own coverage of Blaustein! I have almost caught up with my other work to do a review of your Ravenloft/Spelljammer mashup; keep an eye out! Cheers!
Yes! This is way better then i hoped it would be, thank you so much!
I'm so happy to hear that! I had you in mind when writing this, since you had suggested Borca before (along with a couple other viewers)! Thanks for watching, as always, and cheers!
now this is interesting. My take on Borca is somewhat more inspired from New Vegas, Each house can be worked with in different ways to help get to their goals.
Holy moly, I LOVE the way the music gets all upbeat and cheery during the bits with Ivan's letters. It makes his "reveal" so much more disturbing
I was always daunted by Borca, intrigue and political roleplay aren't my strong suits.
That said I did find your outline simple enough to follow, and it feels like a strong part one to a grander plot now that (assuming they rescue and recuperate Nostalia) they will have an alliance with Octrotire, leverage over Nobrikov, an axe to grind with Boritsi and a fear of Dilisnya.
Ah, that's excellent to hear! One worry that I had, when putting this video together, was that the plot would be too complicated. Glad to be corrected, there!
And yes, if the PCs continue their Borca adventures, they absolutely have a web of intrigues set up before them. The Nobriskovs, for instance, will try to assassinate the PCs and Nostalia to keep their secret, while keeping up appearances as their allies; Ivana Boritsi is far from done toying with Nostalia and the PCs, when it comes to seeking revenge; house Ocrotire still has leverage over the PCs, and now there's a feud between them and the Ritters... Indeed, indeed!
Thanks so much for watching and for commenting! Best wishes, and cheers!
"A Piano in the House" is actually a major inspiration for another classic Ravenloft domain, Claveria.
Ah, I had no idea! I assume this is from 2e, or was it later? (I never saw it among the 3.5-era gazetteers, nor in the old red boxed set materials, so I assume it's from a novel or a Dungeon/Dragon issue?)
Thanks so much for letting me know! I'm intrigued that someone else was inspired by an otherwise obscure episode of the Twilight Zone!
Thanks very much for watching, and best wishes! Cheers!
Claveria is originally from the 2e supplement Book of Crypts, and it gets like one paragraph mentioned in the 3e setting book. So it's pretty obscure!
Holy Borca that thumbnail is terrifying!
Mixing Crypt Keeper with Bear from Krampus XD
Also I like how this domain has two equally insane Dark Lords which can make campaign plot hooks varied and interesting. It's kinda like the opposite of Darkon with the number of Darklords and the narratives of both van be quite branching.
Thanks for saying so, and bonus points for recognizing the Krampus bear! Yeah, I also like that there are two Darklords; in general, I think it's more fun when the Domains of Dread are loose variations on a theme, with exceptions concerning how many Darklords there are, or whether the borders can be closed, or how the Domain interacts with the other Domains, etc.
Thanks again for watching, and cheers!
I personally love it but I have a hard time finding groups that are interested in ANY intrigue.
Ivan reminds me of Donald Trump. And the Borca courtiers reminds me of our Congress and Supreme Court right now. Did I wander into Ravenloft and not realize it?
Can't wait to watch this through when I do not have to sleep; will update in the morning.
Update: From the breakdown sounds like this works beter than mine;
-The Party was initially arrested by the Unmist Inquisition for a crime they hadn't even commited yet (This basically made them very convinced the Ulmist Inquisition was not to be trusted)
-They were given parol however by a Keeper of the Feather from the Nobriskov family, but as they go to his house and see the wolf iconography they basically immediately found the Family secret
-He told them to go to the Finishing School to find his friend that he hadn't heard from in a long time
The plan from here was to try and bar the party from finding the girl by first doing a favour for the mean girl, Dragana Kovalski (Secretly an Oni)
-What actually happened is that the Party Barbarian brute forced himself to find the friend, skipping an entire plan I had for Dragana to convince the party to steal a dress design from a Ritter girl and give it to a rival (During the dance, the rival girl would walk in with the same dress as the Ritter girl and the Ritter would stuff her in a closet with her throat slit)
-The friend of Nobriskov did in fact insist to go to her retreat that a charming peer (The Caller) told her to go to
-The retreat in question was a Priests of Osybus meeting
-After finishing the dungeon, the party would find the girl and she would have been inconsolable as she'd been branded as a Preist of Osybus and the Nobriskov Keeper, who is also her boyfriend is on an unsteady relationship with the Ulmist Inquisition as is, and her being marked as their archenemy would mean that she cannot see him again.
-The Barbarian from before managed to console her by offering to help her burn down the place, establish with the Ulmist Inquisition to leave her alone because she was unwillingly initiated and reunite her with her boyfriend.
Also in the side there was also Ivana who contacted the Party warlock to go against the Barbarian when they try to break into her house (They forgot this instruction altogether) and Ivan who annoyed the Barbarian to find something that Ivana 'stole' and might have branded as 'potion of youth'
Dragana was also there defending Ivana's house and there was going to be a fight that She would ultimately be unable to harm the Paladin (Who had developed a relationship with her) but they decided to talk down the entire combat and cut straight to adressing Ivana who was just like "He's not going to give up, give him this" as she handed the party a bottle of Placebo
Then at the Dilesnya estate they confronted Ivan, who sicked a small army of automaton Maids at the party to which the Barbarian decided to grab Ivan and kill him if his minions did anything.
So Ivan became a meme about the creepy old man who got his neck snapped by the Barbarian.
Oh that's interesting! We both converged on Ivan being an utter creep, haha. I like your plot idea of using a stolen dress design to generate tensions among courtly nobles! And when you say "the Caller," I assume you mean the Gentleman Caller? Fantastic! Has the adventure finished, or are your PCs still in Borca? Thanks for watching, and cheers!
@@phdnd-drbowers They are no longer in Borca, it finished very quickly after they killed Ivan.
Also yes, The Caller is the Gentleman Caller but the version from VRG, shortening the name
@@camblycreeper7999 excellent! I hope it was as fun as it sounded! Cheers!
Dimitri Ivanov! Oh, Sweet Cuthbert; I was not expecting Quest for Glory 4 nostalgia. Thank you,
Quest for Glory 4 is one of the best video games ever made as far as I am concerned, and my D&D campaigns are all heavily influenced by the series. In fact, I'm about to run a 5e campaign called "Yig Snake Granddaddy," many of whose maps come from Quest for Glory 3! (I have some touched-up scans of the original watercolors, or at least that's what I think they are!)
The idea of the Fanes in Barovia, I think, has roots in QFG4, i.e. the Staff of Erana. I also think it's interesting that in "Curse of Strahd," Van Richten poses as a wisecracking jester in the Blue Water Inn, by the name of Rictavio. An inn-bound jester in a gothic Dracula-esque landscape? Punny Bones, anyone?
I'm really glad you noticed this! It was an intentional Easter Egg. Cheers!
@@phdnd-drbowers I did a playthrough on my channel a few years back. Such a great series, if you ignore 5.
@@Babbleplay oh that's awesome! Is your channel linked to this account? If so, I'll take a watch! Perfect timing, at the year's end!
@@phdnd-drbowers yeah, it’s this account. Haven’t posted in a while, bit of a ‘hit by a car, broken bones and lost teeth, torn ligaments’ sort of deal, but planning an eventual comeback. Lot of old classics you might remember; 7th Guest in particular- Stauf could totally be a darklord.
Oh man this one is such a blast! Great work, as always!
Thanks so much, Jason, for watching and for your supportive comments! Are there any Domains you'd like to see me cover in the future? Best wishes, and cheers!
You've covered a few of the favorites already (Har'Akir, I'Cath) -- I'm running Witchlight now and while I elected to not do this at the very last minute, I had made strong considerations to add Sly Flourish's ideas for Dreadful Incursions to the story (in short, the Domains of Dread are crashing into and leaking over into the Feywild until the Main Story, to not be spoilery for others, can be solved). What I am adding though is wanting to add Isolde and her Carnival to the story, for 5e lore connected the stories of Isolde, the Witchlight & Shadowfell carnivals, and the archfey Zybilna together, though the campaign itself doesn't do anything with this information in particular. So yeah, the Carnival I think would be pretty neat, especially once I read into the older 2e lore on it.
The two others that I was interested in reading more about, one as part of a diversion in my old Saltmarsh game before that fell through and the latter as a part of planning the Dreadful Incursions encounter within the Witchlight, was the Sea of Sorrows' Pietra van Riese and Souragne's Anton Misroi.
Great video as always. Thanks for this good stuff!🙂👍
You're one of the best, most erudite and creative D+D youtubers on the platform. 👍
Aw, thank you so much for such glowing praise! I do my best!
Do you have any requests for other Domains of Dread, or for other topics? Be sure to let me know!
Best wishes, thank you so much for watching, and cheers!
I love social intrigue, but I'm not very good at designing it. Still, your incredible video has given me an idea I like.
The PCs are hired as security by Olmo because of a childishly written letter he recently received claiming that "The bad lady will poison someone in your house!" or something to that effect.
Now, how can Ivana be a proficient poisoner in a world where low-level cleric spells can detect and cure poisons? That's where her unparalleled skill comes in: she breaks poisons down into multiple components that don't register as poisons to most detection attempts, but if the target comes into contact with all of these components separately, they combine and activate inside their body, working like midnight's tears.
So maybe the PCs have to watch out for handshakes, and maybe it's not the meal but the cutlery that bears the chemical... and then Olmo and his daughter receive an invitation to a party they can't refuse (what would happen to Olmo's position?) at Ivana's house, which makes protecting them an absolute nightmare.
That's an excellent idea! It reminds me of the Batman film from 1990, where the Joker's poison is split up into different components that are added to separate cosmetics that people normally use together. This keeps people from discovering which products have poison, and lets the hero do some actual detective work. I love it! So cool. It's also *perfect* for Borca, I think. Thanks so much for sharing it! Best wishes, and cheers!
Always interesting videos. Loved this one. Keep it up. Thanks!
YEAHHHHHH! I was waiting for this one! Such an amazing domain!
I'm so glad I discovered this channel I'm hoping to revisit the Mists of Ravenloft in the coming months with my group. These are fantastic and I like how they really incorporate the Darklords with the PC's I'm sure you are inundated with requests but are you planning a trip to Lamordia anytime soon? Thanks
I'm so glad you discovered this channel as well! Welcome!
In response to your question, yes! Lamordia is in the works right now, in fact. There's been some talk about it on the official Discord, if you care to see; you can find an invitation in the description of a recent video: ruclips.net/video/necrRQf5blU/видео.html
Thanks again for watching, and best wishes!
Crayons are canon. They existed that far back in history.
Oh absolutely!
Another source involving an elderly manchild treating people like playthings is Squid Game, which would adapt wonderfully to Ravenloft
Ah yes, and a Squid Game Domain would be excellent, too! I wonder if any of the remaining Domains I need to cover can accommodate that theme. (I also immediately think of Valachan's "Trial of Hearts," which could be run like Squid Game.)
Great idea! Thank you so much for sharing it here, and for watching! Best wishes, and cheers!
Ive been search/working on an adeventure to run in Borca for my party after they finish House Of Lament. I think i just found it with your video!
This is amazing work and i loved the additional research for further reading/watching.
You have earned another subscriber here!
P.S. Do you have this adevnture typed up anywhere for easier planning and such? Or even on DMguild or something? Thank you for your wonderful work!
I wonder what domain you will cover next?
Me, too! 😅
❤
❤