Curse of Strahd: Shadows of Ravenloft (2014 Rules)

How to prepare

Players will need a DnD Beyond account, a good working Mic, and access to discord. Some folks like to use a webcam but it is by no means required. Characters should be discussed with the DM prior to your 1st session.

What I provide

🖥️ High-Quality Virtual Experience • VTT: We’ll be playing on Foundry VTT for a smooth and immersive online experience. • Premium Interactive Battle Maps: I use Beneos Battlemaps, ensuring high-quality, dynamic environments for every encounter. No boring grid maps here—expect atmospheric, hand-crafted locations that react to the story. • Custom Tokens & Visual Aids: Unique, high-resolution tokens and visuals for characters, NPCs, and monsters bring Barovia’s horrors to life. 🎭 Deep Roleplay & Story-Driven Gameplay • A Living World: NPCs react realistically to your choices. Your actions shape Barovia, and its denizens will remember you—whether you inspire hope or terror. • Full Character Immersion: I use distinct character voices and accents to bring every NPC to life, from desperate villagers to Strahd himself. • Dark, Thematic Storytelling: Expect high-stakes decisions, emotional weight, and an evolving narrative that makes your character’s choices meaningful. ⚔️ Challenging & Tactical Combat • Tough but Fair Encounters: I don’t pull punches, but I reward smart tactics, teamwork, and creative problem-solving. • Deadly Gothic Horror: You’re in Strahd’s domain, and the threats are real. Combat will be intense, deadly, and deeply thematic. • Dynamic Battlegrounds: Fights won’t be static slugfests—expect environmental hazards, lair actions, and enemies that think like real hunters. 🎶 Atmospheric Sound & Visuals • Immersive Soundscapes: Dark ambient music, chilling sound effects, and dynamic audio cues will make Barovia feel alive (or undead...). • Striking Visuals: Carefully curated art, maps, and animated effects will deepen the immersion. 🎲 Balanced Between Rules & Creativity • RAW + Rule of Cool: I respect the Rules as Written (RAW) but reward audacity and creativity. If you come up with a cinematic moment that makes sense in the story, I’m here for it. • Player-Driven Storytelling: You’re not just here to watch a story unfold—you’re here to shape it. Your choices matter, and they will echo throughout the campaign. If you want a gritty, immersive, and rewarding Curse of Strahd experience that feels alive, you’ve come to the right place. Prepare for intense battles, deep roleplay, and a story that will haunt you long after the game ends.

Gameplay details

Creating a safe and enjoyable experience for all players is a priority in my games. Curse of Strahd is a gothic horror campaign with dark themes, so clear communication and boundaries are essential. Here’s how we ensure a fun, respectful, and immersive experience for everyone: 🛡️ Safety Tools in Use Breaks: We will take regular breaks as needed, ensuring everyone is comfortable and engaged. Open Door Policy: If you need to step away for any reason whether it's a personal issue, discomfort, or just needing a break, you can do so without judgment. Your well-being comes first. Session 0: Before we begin the campaign, we will have a Session 0 to set expectations, discuss themes, and establish player comfort levels.

Content warnings

Safety tools used

How will character creation work

We are using the 2014 DnD 5e rules. Characters may use any official DnD content (No UA or Extended universe) Characters can be created using point buy or standard array. Campaign will start at level 1. Characters should be created in DnD Beyond and discussed with the GM prior to the player's first session. In Barovia there are some caveats you should be aware of: Resurrection and Revivification Spells like Revivify, Raise Dead, and Resurrection do not function normally in Barovia. The souls of the dead are trapped or consumed by Strahd or the Dark Powers, making it difficult (or impossible) to bring back the dead. Divine Casters & Deities Clerics and paladins may find that their gods cannot reach them in Barovia. Divine spells may not have the intended effect or work at all. Certain gods (like the Morninglord and Mother Night) have some presence, but even their power is diminished. Sunlight-Based Spells As the sun never really shines in Barovia spells like Dawn and Sunbeam do not function. Teleportation & Plane Shifting Spells like Teleport, Plane Shift, or Word of Recall cannot be used in Barovia. The mists block all planar travel unless Strahd or the Dark Powers allow it. Necromancy & Undead Magic Spells like Create Undead or Animate Dead might have unintended side effects, as undeath is already tied to the Dark Powers of Barovia. Restrictions on Flight Strahd controls the skies, and spells like Fly or Wind Walk may draw his attention (or provoke his minions like swarms of bats).

Combat / Tactics

Medium

Roleplay

High

Puzzles

Low

Experience level

Beginner