Barovia and Beyond, the Dark Souls D&D Experience
Barovia is a gothic horror themed domain ruled by a darklord, Strahd von Zarovich. It is harsh, cold, and unforgiving. Can you make it out alive?
$20.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Saturday - 1:30 AM UTC
Session Duration / 3–5 hours
3 / 5 Seats Filled
Report Adventure
StartPlaying Money Back Guarantee
If your game doesn't happen, we guarantee a refund. Just reach out to StartPlaying Support. Refund Policy
Schedule
Meet your party members
3/5
About the adventure
The setting is Barovia, a gothic horror themed valley. Here there is no black and white, only shades of moral gray. Can you survive the deadly and horrifying land and escape to what lies beyond? Beyond lies lands with varying themes but all brutal and horrifying each in their own way. The mood can be as light or as dark as you see fit, but the going ons of the world will certainly seek to douse your light. Fight to find your way home (or out), and maybe even for the betterment of the denizens of the valley who have been crushed under the foot of the tyrant prince of the land, Count Strahd von Zarovich!
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(5)
1 year on StartPlaying
81 games hosted
Highly rated for: Knows the Rules, Inclusive, Creativity
Average response time: Under 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
About me
I have been DMing for years for various groups of my friends. We wanted to attempt 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons and I volunteered to take up the mantle of DM. This has allowed me to become accustomed to various party sizes (3-9+), styles of play (roleplay heavy, combat heavy, mystery), and experience levels (beginner to veteran) as my groups grew with me. Now as a graduate student, money is tight and I want to share and create fun and enjoyable stories with others. As much as I hate the idea of charging money for it, bills gotta be paid. I plan to work with my players to create the best experience possible for everyone involved. If you need me to sell you on it I say this: Those who play in my games understand the phrase "trust the process". Know that trust is forged and earned and I intend to earn it, starting by offering a free session 0 and a session 1 guarantee (you pay at the end of the session after you get your money's worth and you decide to continue in the campaign). People will be paying for a service and I intend to make it a damn good one. I've been called evil but fair, lawful evil, and "the Dark Souls DM" by my players, which they insist are glowing reviews. "To trust the process is to trust one’s self, for no matter what you plan on doing, it will be the pits of despair that drives you to the realization of ‘ uhhh….. can I get an extra character sheet‘" -a player of mine satisfied with a session despite their character's death
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Character creation will be available during sesison0. All official published content is valid (and more upon vetting and approval by me) Making characters on your own but keeping me in the loop or collaboratively with me. Character sheets will be available on Roll20 in the campaign. Stats method will be voted on in session0.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
A mic is preferred but not necessary. You will need to create characters, but we can work together back and forth between session0 and session1 to get your character fleshed out. Communication is key.
What Cole Allen brings to the table
I bring a discord with individual chats for private conversations about or pertaining to select characters, a music bot provides ambiance and music, a Roll20 campaign with dynamic lighting, custom tokens, and battle maps. There is a place for Rule of Cool and Rules as Written, but I lean to the latter (although the former has a place within the latter).
Equipment needed to play
Computer
Internet
Microphone
Headphones
Platforms used
Safety
How Cole Allen creates a safe table
In session 0 there will be an open discussion about potential triggers as well as a collection of potential themes or topics which may act as triggers. The themes and topics discussed will be toned down or rewritten out completely based on the results of the discussion in session 0.
Content warnings
Safety tools used