The Realms of Barovia and Forlorn can be fully explored. Both castles, Forlorn and Ravenloft are complete. There are four settlements; a village, two towns and a city. With over a hundred detailed areas in total this is an epic sequel.
Gameplay Length
30 hours estimated, possibly more. Expect to reach 16th-18th level by game end.
Patch 1.68 or later required. The latest version is final12. The content is complete and it can be finished. This is my 'twelfth final' and it may still contain bugs. If you do encounter problems let me know either by posting on this page or messaging me.
Number Players
Adjusts for solo, party or multi party.
Important non-player characters will auto-level to the approximate strength of the player's character but many, and most monsters, do not. Players using very high level characters (20th plus) will find encounters easy and may cause distracting error messages as important npcs try to rise to impossible levels. For these reasons it is recommended that the players stay within the starting level range.
Language
English
Level Range
Recommend use of character from Return to Ravenloft or a new character. Low level characters will be advanced to seventh level and given access to an equiping shop. There is no level restriction.
Races
Any
Tricks & Traps
Light
Roleplay
Heavy
Hack & Slash
Medium
Classes
Any.
Though this module can be successfully played with all PC classes some offer a less difficult gaming experience. As with most Ravenloft modules there are lots of undead so a character with turning powers (cleric, paladin) would find life easiest. Rogues would find the game most challenging.
Scope
Part of Series
DMNeeded
No DM Required
Single or Multiplayer
Single Player or Multiplayer
Max Character Level
09
Max # Players
Any
Min # Players
01
Min Character Level
07
Content Rating
Teen
Alignments
Any. Ravenloft caters for both the heights and depths of humanity.
Gameplay Hours
30
Description
I found myself in a world sliding ever closer to Ravenloft.
In a place called Stone Leigh I first encountered the pull of Ravenloft. It tempts me with power and quick advancement in exchange for a little of my soul. Others here that I see have succumbed to the temptation and the results are plain to see; evilness, madness and disfigurement.
By fair means or foul I have fought against the power of Ravenloft in Stone Leigh. Some of those most effected have been killed or banished. A would-be Lord has been destroyed. But the land still draws toward that nightmare realm and I have made enemies, one in particular: a dark witch called Silktong.
There is a Gate in Stone Leigh. They say it leads into the heart of Ravenloft. Evil seeps out of it and my enemy has escaped through it. I will not wait for her to return but shall chase her down and confront the powers on their own ground. I will travel Beyond the Gate.
In this module the player has just finished Return to Ravenloft and finds themself at the bottom of a dungeon complex called The Dark Well. Silktong's history is revealed and the coven of witches that she manipulates must be confronted. Ultimately the player will decide the fate of Stone Leigh. Will it be freed from the clutches of Ravenloft or will you fight to become its Lord?
Walk-through and SPOILER notes for Ravenloft Beyond the Gate. If you are stuck or you played it and want to see what you missed read this. Click to view or right-click and save to download it.
I seem to be in the minority here as I actually liked the first module better than this. The thing that really hurt my enjoyment of this module was a problem mentioned by others: the crafting anvil. While I like the idea of letting players customize equipment to their preferences, the system as actually implemented makes it way too easy to get ridiculously over-powered gear, and that in turn makes a mess of the combat balance. And that, in turn, somewhat undermines the creepy atmosphere, one of the selling points of a Ravenloft module, since it is hard, for me at least, to find an environment very scary when I am cutting through any creatues in it who give me trouble without even working up a sweat. On the other hand, the questionable combat balance was the only serious flaw in what is in most respects an excellent module. It is particularly strong in terms of role-playing, offering good and evil paths both of which are in their own way rewarding to play. It also improves on the first module in terms of the possibilities for henchman interaction.
Posted by frandelgearslip at on04/24/10
This was the first user generated module I played and even after having played many more since then it is still one of the best. Even more impressive the author did not need to use hakpacs at all. Spoilers The hunting down of the various coven members was entertaining and I really appreciated the tower full of magical shops. The only complaints I had were: 1. I did not particularly like Strahd's characterization, more vampire the masquerade then DD vampire. 2. Strahd's castle--I wish there was more reason to explore it. As it was I left it mostly unexplored. 3. The anvil--with it the game is too easy, without it the final two boss fights are extremely hard (got through both of them by having my cleric spam heal)
Posted by zetaro at on01/17/10
i just registered at the vault just so i can vote for this module :) first off, i would like to thank Firestarter for the modules, i know most builders do it for personal fun, but you have my thanks anyway. i would also like to be honest and say that "return to ravenloft" almost turned me off to the series. It was old, the henchmen script was awkward, and understandably quite low in quality (sorry, just comparing it to the quality one might expect from other mods out there, but of course the mod does have some good and unique points) BUT, for new players, playing it to get to beyond the gate is definitely worth it, miss out on it and you wont get attached to the town of stone leigh, making you lose some points on why you're trying to save the town (or claim lordship over it hehe) and it really does set up the mood for the story. for me, the one thing that made Beyond the Gate stand out is definitively the creepy atmosphere. *Spoilers ahead* Who knew you could still get that after memorizing the environs the tilesets offer? its like playing a completely different game. There's only so much you can do with the tilesets, but because of the story, the feeling of dread you get (like how stone leigh is slowly transforming into a horrible place, slowly conforming to the requisites of being part of "the plane of dread", or whatever the crazy kids call it these days :p ) backed up by the solid creepiness of barovia, and the tragic tale of forlorn (story which i thought was made up by firestarter?) it just all meshes so well to create this world of horrid horrid spookyness, that i just absolutely love :) some random things i really like: salina's hut - i love how you placed the trees closely around a standard house, making it look like an old, haunted house, there were more of other crazy innovations like that in the module, i just forgot the others :P all which really made a difference. forlorn - im not sure where the story is based, but it really fits well in the module, i love the fake daytime city it presents, giving you a break from all the constant darkness surrounding the other areas, but stills holds that feeling of dread, never breaking the illusion. like how an ordinary, busy day in the city streets is still not that ordinary, what with that corpse crammed in the barrel in the corner there, or that when you get inside the houses, its all burning or rotting inside. it gives the feeling that for a moment, you've somehow escaped the nightmare, but deep down knowing that there really is no escape. Barovia - some pnp conversion adventure going on there, i never played the original (i dont know how to play pnp dnd :p) but whatever the allure the original pnp game had, this module probably has it too, the castle is absolutely fun creepy. although i think i just turned the strange, mysterious, legendary evil vampire villain Strahd into my father in law :p which is kinda "breaking the fourth wall" funny. Anyway, that place was nuts. weve all played castle maps before, memorized the whole thing. but the Castle Ravenloft is really something else. again, perfect atmosphere. i voted 10, i wanted to give it a 9.75, for some of the bugs, small typos, broken anvil, etc, but because of the scope of the gameworld (it is quite huge), most of the bugs are justifiable, or are probably not even the authors fault, (like visual effects not doing what they're suppose to do) and also because of the unique experience, i just couldn't recommend it more, especially for those looking for a good, creepy, twilight zone kinda mod.
Posted by Manos at on01/03/10
An excellent module with a terrific ending for both good and evil. I've enjoyed Ravenloft since the original pnp module (I6) was released back in the 1980's. And from what I've seen here Firestarter sticks with that classic oppressive Ravenloft feel while bringing something new to the table. I very much enjoyed the idea of near independent border regions while still maintaining the dominance of the domain lords. My only criticism is that this mod is a little too heavy on the uber magic items and fast track level advancement for my taste. But that will interfere with it receiving a rock solid 10 in my book. Thanks Firestarter :) _________________________ Well, she turned me into a newt....
Posted by Firestarter at 2009-10-1706:37:39
Thanks Chris. I'm now in Barovia on the edge of the circle of mist. Thoroughly enjoying it though I've decided that my choice of Ranger/Sorceror might be a weak combination of classes. The only issue that I've had is with unaccountable crashes. It used to happen when I had an old ATI card but never with a g-force fx. My newer PC (g-force 8800) is crashing again (three times so far). As before I think the problem is with the Open-GL driver. I had difficulty playing KotOR recently that also uses Open-GL. I have no crashes with direct-X games. Bit of a worry that I'll get crashes with Dragon Age that arrives in a few weeks - I assume that, being by Bioware it will be Open-GL. _________________________ ------oOo------oOo------oOo------ Do be careful! Don't lose any of that stuff. That's concentrated evil. One drop of that could turn you all into hermit crabs.
Posted by ChrisH at 08:41:46 Voted10.00
Just played through a second time after almost a year. Absolutely excellent module! I might go through again as an evil necromancer.
Posted by Firestarter at 2009-10-0413:25:06
Thanks to everyone who's commented lately. I'm playing the module again for the first time in over two years. I had to relearn the game mechanics :-p Tried to go solo and latest until the first wolf *owch* encounter so went back for henchies. Got as far as Salina's lair under the marsh. Noticed a few conversations that were a little circular. And hostile Mephits that had no reason to be. Nothing serious and having fun so far. I've made notes so there may be another version if I can remember how to script. _________________________ ------oOo------oOo------oOo------ Do be careful! Don't lose any of that stuff. That's concentrated evil. One drop of that could turn you all into hermit crabs.
Posted by snowdog at on09/05/09
Really Great Module. Forlorn was particularly brilliant, most immersed and most fun I had in NWN in quite some time. There is a reason not to give 9+ to everything(I voted 7.5 on Return to Ravenloft). It is so great modules like this one can stand out when they get 9+ scores they deserve. You do get kind of invincible if you take full advantage of the Anvil. I am really not a fan full on crafting, but if there I will take full advantage. I prefer the blacksmith that will build one or two cool items if you get some things for him approach. Love the transform tube though.
Posted by Skie at on08/09/09
Just an update to my earlier post...My sorceress was wearing a modified item tagged "silktong's robes." Owning or possessing this item while passing through the Bone Gate will trigger the end game. Once more, I have plunged headlong into the depths of the shadows of Ravenloft, evermore entranced by the darkness...I look forward to completing my journey. Thank you for a terrific module!
Posted by Skie at on08/09/09
I have recently encountered an odd problem. When my character first enters the gate to Stone Leigh (via the Bone Gate), she wins the Lordly Competition and is asked to choose to become its lord or to seal the portal. I cannot complete other quests because the gate is sealed. I can return to Ravenloft with the returnal mirror, but, having played this module a year or so ago, I didn't think I was supposed to win the Lordly Competition upon arrival into Stone Leigh. Any suggestions?
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