Shadows of Barovia: A Beginner's Journey into the Mists

Creating your character

1. Timing of Session 0 Before the First Session: Session 0 will be held separately (typically 1–2 weeks before Session 1) to give players time to ask questions, review safety tools, and finalize characters. This ensures that Session 1 jumps straight into the action—no paperwork delays! 2. Stat Generation Standard Array (Recommended): Simple, balanced stats (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8). No rolling (to avoid imbalances for new players). 3. Starting Level Level 3 (A sweet spot for beginners): Enough abilities to feel heroic, but not overwhelming. Survivability against Barovia’s horrors. We’ll level up milestones, not XP. 4. Character Creation Process Collaborative & Guided: Where: Via Discord/voice chat (or pre-session doc sharing). I’ll walk players through sheets step-by-step. Pre-Mades Available: Ready-to-play characters with Barovia-themed backstories (e.g., "Vistani outcast," "Ireena’s childhood friend"). Homebrew Rules: None—core 5e only to avoid confusion. 5. Allowed/Disallowed Books Keep It Simple: ✅ Allowed: Player’s Handbook (PHB), Curse of Strahd (for lore only—no peeking at spoilers!). ❌ Disallowed: Other sourcebooks (e.g., Tasha’s, Xanathar’s) to avoid complexity. Exception: If a player wants something (e.g., a subclass), ask me first—I’ll tweak for balance. Flexible for Your Group! Let me know if you’d prefer alternate stat gen or starting levels.

Preparing for the session

1. Tech Requirements Mic Required, Webcam Optional (but encouraged!): Voice chat is essential, and Discord is for roleplay and coordination. Video optional: Facial expressions enhance horror immersion, but it’s fine if players prefer audio-only. No background noise: Push-to-talk is recommended if in a busy environment. 2. Accounts & Programs Free & Easy Setup: Must Have: Discord account (for voice chat and text-based safety tools). D&D Beyond account (free—I’ll share content for character sheets). Optional: Roll20 (if using digital maps, but theater-of-the-mind is the default). No paid software/subscriptions are required. 3. Rules Prep Zero Homework Needed: I’ll teach rules during play—just show up ready for fun! Optional: Skim the free D&D 5e Basic Rules if curious.

What Nikola Tepavcevic brings to the table

GM Style & Expectations for Shadows of Barovia (A Beginner-Friendly Curse of Strahd Adventure) 🎭 Immersion & Atmosphere Character Voices? Yes! NPCs will have distinct accents (Strahd = elegant Dracula, Vistani = Romani-inspired, etc.), but no pressure for players to do the same. Ambient Music? Absolutely. Expect gothic soundscapes (creaking mansions, howling wolves) and subtle horror tracks—volume adjustable for comfort. Maps & Handouts? All in my possession. Physical/digital maps, letters, and secrets will be provided as needed—no extra prep for players. ⚔️ Combat Style Tactical or Narrative? Fast & cinematic, not grid-heavy. Theater-of-the-mind by default (with optional Roll20 maps for complex fights). No intense min-maxing—combat is about drama, not spreadsheet math. Boss fights (e.g., Strahd) will be challenging but fair, with environmental twists. 📜 Rules Philosophy: Rule of Cool > RAW Prioritize fun over fussy rules. Creative solutions always trump the book (e.g., swinging from a chandelier to avoid an attack = auto-success). BUT I’ll keep 5e’s core framework so new players learn the basics. All books/materials are on my end—players just need to describe their awesome ideas. 🎲 What Players Can Expect From Me A Gothic Horror Adventure—spooky, tragic, and occasionally absurd (yes, even Strahd has bad hair days). Pacing for Beginners—rules taught organically, no "homework," and gentle guidance. Player Agency Matters—Barovia is deadly, but your choices always shape the story. No Surprise Triggers—Lines/Veils and X-Card honored without derailing immersion. 🔥 What I Expect From Players Engage with the world (ask questions, react to NPCs, lean into the horror). Respect the table (no metagaming, spotlight hogging, or spoilers). Embrace the chaos—death can happen, but we’ll make it epic.

How Nikola Tepavcevic creates a safe table

Session 0 Coverage: We’ll use Session 0 to: Introduce the Setting: Briefly explain Barovia’s gothic horror tone (think Dracula meets Dark Souls). No spoilers, but I’ll clarify themes like dread, tragedy, and occasional violence. Safety Tools: Establish X-Card (for discomfort), Open Door (anyone can step out), and Lines/Veils (hard/soft limits). We’ll agree on these as a group. Character Creation: Offer pre-made sheets or help build simple PCs tied to Barovia (e.g., "haunted mercenary," "occult scholar"). Newbies get extra guidance! Rules Overview: Cover basics like skill checks, combat flow, and how horror mechanics (e.g., fear, madness) work. Scheduling & Expectations: Confirm playstyle (60/40 RP/combat?), session length, and how to handle absences. Aftercare: Debrief: Post-session, we’ll chat OOC about how folks felt—especially after intense scenes. Lighthearted Wrap-Up: End with a meme, joke, or palette-cleanser (e.g., "Strahd’s terrible fashion choices"). Check-Ins: I’ll message players privately if a session was particularly heavy. X/N/O’s (Safety Tools): Digital & Messaged: Use a text channel in Discord (or your preferred platform) for X-Card/Lines. No need to interrupt verbally. Video Option: For in-person/video games, colored index cards (hold up red/yellow/green) or emoji reactions (🛑/⚠️/✅). Goal: A spooky-but-comfy experience where everyone feels safe exploring Barovia’s darkness.