The third Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium appendix was the opposite of the Mystara book for me. It is gorgeous and straightforward – Mark Nelson’s art rivals Stephen Fabian in capturing the mood of the campaign setting. Like all the Ravenloft appendices, this one largely focuses on making horrored-up versions of conventional D&D monsters. Unlike the previous two collections, though, I like these a lot. They feel more thought out somehow.

Thing is, I could never figure out how to use them. They all feel so specific in application, and the opportunity has never come up. One exception: Fleas of Madness. That’s a good story, too, but I am going to save it for when I make a zine out of that adventure…