These horror-based parameters are macabre, morbid, and most of all terrifying.

Ready to face off against the most terrifying creatures in Dungeons & Dragons?

Check out this list.

Dungeons & Dragons image showing an ancient green dragon.

For this list, we’re taking into account the overall vibe, antagonists, and mechanics.

Here are all the realms in Ravenloft, ranked.

Van Ricthen’s Guide to Ravenloft offers dozens of ideas for Domains of Dread.

Two students attend a ball at Strixhaven in Dungeons & Dragons.

For this list, we’ll be looking at fully fleshed-out campaign tweaks.

This realm is characterized by Mind Flayers and other alien-like creatures who feed on psychological torment.

Much of this realm and adventure take place underground, as endless storms torment the surface of Bluetspur.

Two adventurers stumble across a trap in Dungeons & Dragons.

16Hazlan

Disaster/Dark

Hazlik

Desert/Mining

Magic is might in Hazlan.

The tone of the world evokes Dune and other sci-fi/fantasy hybrid stories.

Hazlik is also an interesting Darklord, with his relentless pursuit of knowledge making him fun to roleplay.

Two vampires fighting in the Domains of Dread in Dungeons & Dragons.

Ultimately, the problem with Hazlan is that it’s just not that scary.

This setting can almost fit inside a survival-based campaign better than a horror one.

For beginners or a quick adventure, one-shot campaigns can be the perfect way to go.

A group of skeletons surrounding adventurers, by Andrey Kuzinskiy.

Mind Flayer by Michael Broussard

The only downside to this realm is that it is heavily roleplay-focused.

13Kartakass

Harkon Lukas

Forest/Countryside

The realm of Kartakass is all about performance.

Ultimately, while this conceit is interesting, it’s a little hard to sustain over a long campaign.

A Mind Flayer in Dungeons & Dragons.

Mind Flayer by Michael Broussard

However, your bard is likely to thank you for bringing this realm into the fold of your campaign.

12Mordent

Ghost

Wilfred Godefroy

English Countryside

Mordent offers players a classic ghost story adventure.

Ghosts wander around Mordent freely and are to be found around every nook and cranny.

A series of obelisks in a desert in Dungeons & Dragons.

Acolyte by Titus Lunter

Plus, the English countryside setting makes for a classic horror environment, making this realm quite fun.

It’s time to go to the ball!

This is almost similar to Tomb of Annihilation in some ways.

A player receives a dark gift from a malevolent force in Dungeons & Dragons.

Dark Gifts by Paul Scott Canavan

However, the downside to this Domain, as mentioned, is its size.

Ultimately, you’re not really going to be able to use this realm as a full campaign setting.

Poison conservatories, macabre body horror, and more characterize this Domain of Dread.

Two animalfolk converse in the Cerulean Citadel in Dungeons & Dragons.

The Cerulean Citadel by Olly Lawson

What’s most interesting about this realm is that it has not one, but two Darklords.

Looking to outsmart your players in your horror campaign?

Use these traps to keep them on their toes.

The bardic realm of Kartakass in Dungeons & Dragons.

The Crystal Club by Mark Behm

Bonus points go to this realm for its atmosphere, which is expertly Gothic and spooky.

Har’Akir also offers interesting settlements worth investigating as well.

The ghostly realm of Mordent in Dungeons & Dragons.

Mordent by Julian Kok

A hunter is pursued by the huntress in Dungeons & Dragons.

Chakuna by Olly Lawson

A young girl at a haunted carnival in Dungeons & Dragons.

The Carnival by Olly Lawson

Ivana Boritsi drinking poison wine in Dungeons & Dragons.

Ivana Boritsi by Irina Nordsol

A Mummy Lord commanding an group of undead by Helge C. Balzer.

Mummy Lord by Helge C. Balzer

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