A Gothic Horror Adventure: Curse of Strahd | Hardcore
Step into the eerie, mist-shrouded land of Barovia, where shadows whisper and darkness reigns supreme
$22.00
/ Session
Details
Bi-weekly / Thursday - 6:00 PM UTC
Dec 18 / Session 29
Session Duration / 3 hours
4 / 6 Seats Filled
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Schedule
Meet your party members
4/6
About the adventure
Curse of Strahd is the quintessential Dungeons & Dragons gothic horror experience. If you crave a truly immersive and challenging campaign, this is your call to adventure! 🦇🏰 My hardcore ruleset intensifies the focus on survival, stress, and bone-chilling horror, pushing you to your limits. Step into the eerie, mist-shrouded land of Barovia, where shadows whisper and darkness reigns supreme in "Curse of Strahd." This gothic horror campaign plunges adventurers into a world of dread and despair, ruled by the enigmatic and malevolent vampire lord, Strahd von Zarovich. 🌫️🧛♂️ Barovia is a land trapped in perpetual twilight, its people living in fear of the night and the horrors that dwell within it. The imposing Castle Ravenloft looms over the landscape, a constant reminder of Strahd's unyielding power and insatiable thirst for blood. As you traverse this haunted realm, you will uncover tragic stories, ancient curses, and sinister secrets. 🏞️🌑 Your journey begins with a mysterious invitation, drawing you and your companions into Barovia's misty embrace. As you explore the foreboding villages, dark forests, and ancient ruins, you will face terrifying creatures, cunning traps, and the ever-present gaze of Strahd himself. Allies and adversaries alike will test your resolve, and every decision could mean the difference between life and death. 🏘️🌲⚰️ To survive and ultimately escape Barovia, you must gather powerful artifacts, unravel the mysteries of Strahd's past, and confront the vampire lord in his lair. Will you break the curse that binds this land, or will you become another lost soul, ensnared by the darkness? 🔮🗝️ Prepare yourself for a tale of gothic horror, relentless danger, and epic heroism in "Curse of Strahd." The fate of Barovia—and your own—rests on your shoulders. Will you have the courage to face the vampire's curse? 🧛♂️⚔️🦇 What does Hardcore actually mean? 🔥 Survival conditions - Hunger, Thirst & Temperature tracking. ⚡ Stress which has mechanical effects and spurs the narrative . 🛠️ Wear and tear on weapons, armour, and items. 🚶♂️ A travel system which adds additional tension and teamwork. 🧰 A wide toolset which contributes to setting a gritty hardcore tone.
Game style
Tactical / Crunchy
Hexcrawl / Exploration
Roleplay Heavy
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(11)
1 year on StartPlaying
101 games hosted
Highly rated for: Knows the Rules, Creativity, Teacher
Average response time: 24+ hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
Hi, I’m Max. My TTRPG journey began during the pandemic as a way to stay connected with friends, but it quickly grew into a lasting passion. Since then, I’ve run countless one-shots and full campaigns in Dungeons & Dragons 5e, spanning hundreds of sessions and hours of adventure. While 5e is my primary system, I explore other games to broaden my perspective and sharpen my storytelling. Inspired by fantasy, sci-fi, video games, and board games, I bring immersive worlds, dynamic encounters, and memorable characters to every table. Whether it’s a gritty low-fantasy survival campaign or a sweeping high-fantasy epic, my focus is always on delivering rich, player-driven experiences.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Character creation will be completed during session 0. All players will use D&D Beyond to create their characters and keep them updated as we progress through the story. Once you have joined my campaign you will gain access to my library of content on D&D Beyond and have access as long as you continue to partake in sessions.
Campaign in progress but there's still time to join the party!
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Prior to the first session, you will have access to my library of D&D Beyond content. I recommend reading the Player's Handbook as it provides a good basis for understanding the rules. However, this isn't mandatory, and I will happily go over how to play. Before joining, please check the list of requirements below. If you have any concerns, feel free to reach out to me. Requirements: 🎙️ Microphone (Required) 📷 Camera (Optional) 📚 D&D Beyond Account (Required) 💬 Discord Account (Required) Note: Foundry VTT and Discord do have some PC requirements, though a relatively modern system should have no problem running them. For further guidance, please see: https://foundryvtt.com/article/requirements/
What Death's Door DM brings to the table
All necessary materials for participating in the game will be provided electronically through Discord, D&D Beyond, and Foundry VTT. Here's what you can expect: 📚 Access a comprehensive library of resources via D&D Beyond. 🗺️ Explore meticulously crafted custom maps. 🎶 Enjoy atmospheric music to enhance your gameplay experience. 🎮 Experience fully utilized gameplay within Foundry VTT. 🧙♂️ Your character's background will be intricately woven into the narrative. 🪄 Discover custom magic items tailored for your adventure. 💬 Join a thriving Discord server filled with like-minded gamers.
Equipment needed to play
Computer
Headphones
Internet
Microphone
Webcam
Platforms used
Safety
How Death's Door DM creates a safe table
We will start with a Session 0 to cover general playing etiquette and introduce key systems, ensuring you're well-prepared for Session 1. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, we will use several safety tools, including the Luxton Technique Discussion, the Open Door policy, Breaks, and Stars and Wishes. These tools help create a respectful and comfortable gaming environment for all participants.
Content warnings
Safety tools used