Nightfell is the setting for the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons . Angelo Peluso, its creator, tells us about the process of creating this gloomy world.
Piotr Markiewicz: How and when did your adventure with RPG start?
Angelo Peluso: The first time I played an RPG was when I was a teenager. I started out as a player in D&D 3.5 and soon became the champion of the 4th edition of Dungeons and Dragons . I have played a lot of games over the years as an MG and gamer, but D&D is still my favorite. Possibly because of sentiment. Honestly, my first approach to D&D was back in my childhood when I met Icewind Dale . Imagine how happy I was when Wizard of the Coast announced a new expansion to its fifth edition: Rime of the Frostmaiden .
PM: What race and class did you choose as a player? Or maybe you preferred to be a Game Master?
AP: I usually do for the Game Master, but of course I also tried my hand as a player. At that time, I tried almost everything that was available. I most liked to play dark / esoteric characters. Most of the races I chose were people.
PM: Who are your favorite fantasy writers? Maybe you can recommend some Italian writers?
AP: Of course JRR Tolkien! Regarding RPGs, RJ Schwalb and Bruce Cordell, with whom I have had the privilege of working as an artist and illustrating some of their work. As for RPG, in Italy we have a really large selection of professionals. Mana Project Studio’s projects are good as hell. Just look at their latest game – Aces Games: Unglorious , which I am personally very interested in.
PM: The Last Tavern is a Polish portal. Do you know any Polish fantasy artists?
AP: Unfortunately, at the moment I have no ties to Polish productions or creators, but it is a very interesting target area to discover. In Italy, Poles are believed to be closely associated with traditions and fantastic entertainment. If I could choose, I’d love to work on something related to The Witcher.
PM: Where did you get your inspiration for creating Nightfell ?
AP: I’ve always loved horror and dark fantasy! So I stimulated all my darkest imaginations and experiences to create a whole new world that should be as dark as possible. My first ideas about the created world appeared when I started studying Italian folklore and long-forgotten, terrifying local legends.
AP: I’m glad someone thinks of Nightfell as the heir of Ravenloft, but it wasn’t my intention. Of course we have a similar atmosphere and mood, but Nightfell is not gothic. I think my product will be an interesting, fresh place for D&D fans . It is intended to represent a whole new level of darkness. It is very different from what we have seen before.
PM: What was the most difficult part of the setting process?
AP: We are talking about a world where there is no sun. The process of creating this world was very difficult, but also extremely interesting (also because I love creating it). I had to focus my attention on creating plausible logic about an endless night in the world of Iùrmen.
PM: In Nightfell, players will be able to meet creatures known from Italian folklore. Can you reveal some of them? Maybe at least your favorite creature?
AP: During my research, I noticed that we can boast of a very extensive, though forgotten bestiary of various creatures. Most of them, of course, come from legends, fairy tales and tales. Just like in The Witcher, my intention was to create a ruthless world full of dangerous creatures. So we have monsters, ghosts, witches and imps. Some have names in difficult dialects such as “Nichiatede” (in the dialect of my city it means: deformed). We will still have to adapt many names to make pronunciation easier.
AP: The game is to provide the so-called “Quick start”. As it turns out, it’s actually not that difficult for players to handle, but the new mechanics create a lot of dangerous dynamics for Night Adventurers over long campaigns. The new mechanics are balanced. In turn, it is up to the GM to decide whether he wants to create extremely dangerous encounters or just focus on the gloomy mood.
PM: Do you have ideas for your next adventures?
AP: Of course I have! I also have plans for future Nightfell expansions . It all depends on how the fundraiser goes on Kickstarter. I have many ambitious goals focused on adventures for players and hope to unlock the possibility of creating a third book that will be a collection of all the adventures in the world of Iùrmen! (we talked to the author before the fundraising started – editor’s note)
To get the game and interesting packages related to it, donate Nightfell RPG on Kickstarter !