CURSE OF STRAHD | 2024 RULES | Lvl 1-12 (Beginner Friendly)
Dungeons & Dragons 5e | Campaign
About the adventure
"Curse of Strahd" beckons you into a world of gothic horror, where shadows whisper of forgotten lore and a brooding menace hangs in the air. Amidst the ancient, storm-wracked walls of Castle Ravenloft, the vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich schemes in the heart of his foreboding domain. As thunder roars and lightning illuminates the twisted spires, you and your party of adventurers find yourselves drawn into the Count's deadly web of intrigue. Strahd, a figure of chilling power and tragic despair, awaits your arrival with chilling anticipation. Will you succumb to the terrifying allure of his dark plan, or can you unravel the secrets of this cursed land and free it from its eternal night? In this epic tale of bravery and dread, remember, the master of Ravenloft is having guests for dinner. You are cordially invited.
Game style
Rules as Written (RaW)
Games that are ran “Rules as Written” emphasize realism and stick to the letter of the rules, allowing players to explore creative solutions while still operating under a consistent rule set. Players have the ability to utilize the rules in creative ways to create awesome characters and moments in the game.
Rule of Cool (RoC)
“Rule of Cool” emphasizes creative story beats over sticking to a system’s rules as written. Players have the ability to push the limits of the rules or even break core rule mechanics at times if the Game Master thinks it is interesting, fun, or cool enough.
Roleplay Heavy
“Roleplay Heavy” games place the focus on the story, the characters, and the world they live within, and tend to lean hard into the various roleplaying elements of the game. These games will frequently find the party talking with NPCs, exploring the personal elements of their backstories, or even having emotional moments around the camp fire.
Survive the mists and a vampiric foe in a battle of wits in Barovia.
5.0
(148)
2 years on StartPlaying
1838 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Teacher, Storytelling
Average response time: 3 hours
Response rate: 100%
Game Master Reviews (148)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Creativity
Teacher
Storytelling
David
New review
Played 8 sessions
I highly recommend Noralf as a Dungeon Master. Having played with him in a play-by-post format, I’ve seen firsthand his skill in storytelling, game mechanics, and managing AVRAE for smooth Discord-based play. He knows the rules well and balances structure with flexibility, making the game engaging for both new and experienced players. Though I never had the chance to play a live session with him, I have no doubt he would be just as exceptional in that setting. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable and dedicated DM, Noralf is a fantastic choice.
Justin Salonko
New review
Played 1 sessions
Noralf was an incredible GM! It was our groups first time playing D&D online and he was very patient and helpful getting us going. We reached out for a one shot and he was very responsive and worked with us to find the perfect game for what we wanted. He was incredibly nice and authentic and we had a great time. His voices and style of play were entertaining and kept us engaged the entire time. His use of TTV maps added a layer of experience we had not had before. If you're looking for a GM either for a campaign or just a one shot I would highly recommend reaching out to him!
The Final Boss
Played 2 sessions
Noralf is a fantastic DM. Being a DM myself I feel he really fills the role very well. Voices, music, and his game systems in place are amazing.
Tyler
Played 73 sessions
Noralf is simply a joy to play with. I came in knowing nothing about DND and he seamlessly integrated me into one of his games. He makes new players and veterans alike feel at home creating a wonderful and fantastic world to explore and play in. His sense of humor and joy for the game is contagious. Since starting to play DND I have played with a number of DMs but he is the best. I can't recommend him highly enough.
T
Played 6 sessions
A DM that genuinely makes sure to make you feel empowered. Sets the mood beautifully, explains the story through profound detail, and really takes the time to love on your character and integrate them the way that's deserved. Great guy for beginners and experienced players alike (coming from a nervy beginner) 💚
Bobby
Played 10 sessions
Noralf is an awesome GM. He is very involved with helping you build your character and their backstory. When it come to gameplay he's very good at letting the players lead the way. His experience shows when it comes to any questions players have and excels at NPC interaction. What really stands out to me is his dedicated to creating a fun environment for players of all skill levels. I highly recommend!
Additional tables
3 available
Weekly / Sunday - 8:00 PM UTC
Mar 16 / Session 12
5 / 6 Seats filled
Weekly / Monday - 2:00 PM UTC
3 / 6 Seats filled
Weekly / Tuesday - 11:00 AM UTC
5 / 6 Seats filled
Additional details
How to prepare
💬 Discord: Ensure you have access to Discord and a good quality mic. 🎲 D&D Basics: Familiarity with D&D 5e rules is a plus, but not essential. New players are welcome and guidance will be provided. 📖 Character Sheets: Use D&D Beyond for creating and managing your character sheets. 🧠 Mindset: Bring your imagination and a cooperative spirit for a fun, engaging storytelling experience!
What I provide
What I'll Bring to Our Tabletop Adventure: 📚 D&D Beyond Content: You'll have access to all official D&D sourcebooks and adventure modules. Character sheets and resources will be available and easily accessible to enhance our game sessions. 🎨 Creative Storytelling and Ambient Music: Expect a rich, immersive narrative enhanced with ambient music to set the mood and deepen the gaming experience. 🤖 Tactical and Intense Combat: Prepare for strategically challenging encounters. I aim to balance tactical depth with fast-paced action to keep combat exciting and engaging. 🗺️ Custom Maps and Tokens: Visual aids like custom maps and tokens will be used to enrich your understanding of the environment and help track your adventures visually. 🎲 Rule of Cool: I embrace the Rule of Cool, prioritizing fun and dramatic moments over strict adherence to rules. 📖 Third-Party Sourcebooks and Custom Crafting Rules: Open to using third-party content to enrich the game, provided it enhances our adventure and maintains game balance. Additionally, custom crafting rules will be available to allow more personalized gear and items.
Gameplay details
🚫 Lines and Veils: We'll define clear lines (topics off-limits) and veils (topics to address indirectly) to ensure everyone's comfort. 🚪 Open Door Policy: Your well-being is important. Feel free to step away from the game if needed. ✅ Monte Cook RPG Consent Checklist: We'll use this checklist to align on themes and scenarios, respecting everyone's boundaries. 🎲 Our sessions will unfold on Discord, with DND Beyond for character management. We prioritize fun, inclusivity, and respectful interaction, fostering a creative and cooperative atmosphere.
Content warnings
• Abuse
• Alcoholism
• Animal Death
• Blood
• Body Horror
• Character Death
• Child Abandonment
• Death
• Execution
• Illness
• Mind alteration
• Mind Control
• Torture
• Trauma
• Violence
Safety tools used
• Lines and Veils
• Monte Cook RPG Consent Checklist
• Open Door
• Session 0
• Stars and Wishes
How will character creation work
🤝 Session Zero Collaboration: We'll collaboratively create characters during our session zero. 💻 Platform: Characters will be created using D&D Beyond. 📚 Source Material: All D&D 5E sourcebooks available on D&D Beyond can be used. 🛠️ Character Creation Assistance: I'm here to help you craft a character that fits both your vision and our campaign’s theme. Let’s bring your hero to life together!. ✨ Personal Touch: Encouraged to bring your own unique ideas and creativity to your character's story and abilities.
Players can expect
Combat / Tactics
High
Roleplay
High
Puzzles
Low
Experience level
Beginner
Platforms used
• D&D Beyond
• Discord
• Owlbear Rodeo
$30.00
/ Session
Each player will be charged when a session starts.
Details
Weekly / Thursday - 11:00 AM UTC
3-3 Hour duration
0 / 6 Seats filled
Requirements
Experience required: Beginner
Age: 18+