In the dark and twisted realm of Ravenloft, the Dark Powers are enigmatic forces that preside over the domain of dread, subtly manipulating circumstances to maximize the psychological torment of its inhabitants, particularly the Darklords.
The Dark Powers do not need to deceive Darklords with simple tricks or curses; they create conditions where the Darklords' own nature leads them to damnation.
These powers do not overtly force Darklords into committing evil acts; rather, they create situations that prey upon the Darklords' inherent flaws, weaknesses, and past misdeeds, leading them to trap themselves in cycles of their own making.
The Misty Border
The Mists are a manifestation of Ravenloft's extraordinary geography, and they may surround and separate the domains. Their behavior should be consistent with the particular domain and the story being told.
For one Darklord they represent impenetrable isolation. For another they might continually deliver reminders of a lost homeland. A third could find that every road into the Mists eventually leads back to the place where their defining crime occurred.
They may transport travelers between distant locations, conceal the arrival of new territories or prevent certain individuals from departing. Yet their function should never be reduced to keeping plot-relevant characters inside an adventure area.