Volo's Students' Guide to
Demiplane of Dread
The Demiplane of Dread (often called "Ravenloft" for the castle of its most popular lord) sends few students to Sigil Prep, because the Demiplane of Dread hates letting people go. Those few students who make it to good old SP are generally under Academic Probation, and cannot leave the campus without vanishing back to Dread.
All students from Ravenloft have Strahd von Zarovich as academic advisor, regardless of major. He has been known to favor some students, and offer extended probationary status, allowing journeys into Sigil East, though he himself is held under the same restraints (unable to leave campus except to return to Ravenloft).
(Handy hints from Yffub the Ranger who Has Chosen Undead as Her Favored Enemy: The Dark Powers have a vested interest in Strahd, but they don't care so much about you. In fact, it's your student ID that holds you in place. Just get yourself a fake student ID with a different plane as your homeplane, and come and go as you please. Just don't get caught. The Dark Powers don't care about you, but they hate being tricked.)
The various nations (or "Domains") of Dread are separated by mists that are dangerous to navigate, and could pop you out anywhere. Each Domain has its own lord who was evil enough to get kicked out of his homeplane, so don't just go knocking on doors. Students adventuring in Ravenloft should expect lots of tension built up by hints and foreshadowing, which will either tingle your spine, or get on your nerves, before you meet the main villain. Followed by numerous undead attacks.
Divison A schools
Barovia Tech
Athletic Nickname: the Undead Legions
Colors: Black and Dark Gray
Popular majors: Dread Necromancer, Wizard
(Necromancy specialists), Cleric
Alignment: Evil
A Necromancy college, and little more than a tech school, for that matter. The
fact that they have Division A athletic standing is a fluke. I mean, really?
Other than that zombie defensive line, what are a bunch of necromancers going to
do on the field?
Notable Inhabitants
Serene (Half-Vampire Werewolf Human Ranger-8): She hunts vampires and hangs out with Dagger. She likes to pose on top of gargoyles and building ledges.
Sergei (human Aristocrat-8): Strahd von Zarovich's long-deceased brother, who stole his beloved Tatyana from him. (based on the Ravenloft character; property of WotC)
Tatyana (human Commoner-6): Long ago, when Strahd von Zarovich was a mortal man, he loved a woman named Tatyana fiercely. In turn, she loved his brother, and Strahd's broken heart never healed. Strahd became a vampire, and still, 500 years later, he pines for this woman. Rahariel Goldentree believed (or let Strahd believe she believed) she was the reincarnation of Tatyana, and in turn, Strahd took her as a ward and (he hoped) lover. It didn't work out. (Based on the Ravenloft character; property of WotC)
(see also: Dagger, Hespero, Htiaf, Wolliw, Yffub)
Organizations of Ravenloft
Order of Illumination: Extremely secretive and powerful organization. Strahd von Zarovich has something to do with it, although the plot thread seems to have been dropped.