Barovia and the Curse of Strahd: Dark Gifts, Black Hearts
Barovia is dying, its misty forests teeming with monsters, cults, and worse. The Devil Strahd is no longer the only nightmare hunting in the dark...
$23.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Wednesday - 12:30 AM UTC
Dec 17 / Session 26
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
Campaign Length / 40–60 Sessions
4 / 6 Seats Filled
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Schedule
Meet your party members
4/6
About the adventure
Welcome to Barovia, a cursed land locked in eternal twilight—where the dead do not rest, monsters rule the woods, and the sun hasn't been seen in generations. Ruled by the enigmatic and ancient vampire lord Strahd von Zarovich, Barovia is a living nightmare... but something even older stirs in the mists. Twisted cults, broken pacts, and monsters out of legend are clawing their way back into the world. This campaign blends the gothic horror of Curse of Strahd with the transformation-heavy, morally gray world of Grim Hollow. Expect tragic villains, dark magic, and choices that weigh heavily on the soul. Will your character resist the pull of darkness—or embrace it in the name of survival? The game emphasizes atmosphere, immersive roleplay, and cinematic storytelling, with plenty of mystery, moral dilemmas, and visceral action. Your decisions will shape the fate of Barovia—and perhaps remake you in the process. Transformation, corruption, and power are all on the table… if you're willing to pay the price. If you love monster movies, classic horror, and the idea of characters grappling with who they’re becoming, this is the campaign for you. Welcome to the land where heroes die, monsters rise, and the mists remember everything.
Game style
Roleplay Heavy
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Sandbox / Open World
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(40)
2 years on StartPlaying
373 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Knows the Rules, Inclusive
Average response time: 6 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
Hi there! I’m Cody, also known as Pax, a professional Game Master based in San Antonio, Texas. I’ve been playing and running tabletop RPGs for over twenty years, starting back in 2nd edition, spending plenty of time in 3.5, and now primarily running 5th edition. I first got into 5e through Adventurers League, running weekly public games for five years straight with tables of seven or more players. That experience taught me a ton about managing large groups, keeping sessions engaging, and helping both new and veteran players feel like part of the story. Over the past couple of years, I’ve transitioned into running private campaigns full-time, completing six full campaigns and building a wonderful, supportive community along the way. I have a deep love for taking established modules and tweaking them to create smoother gameplay, give characters more meaningful connections to the story, and expand on the content to make the narrative feel dynamic and impactful. If you’re looking for a reliable GM with a strong understanding of the rules, experience handling large groups, and a passion for teaching new players, you’re in the right place.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
We will primarily be using the 2024 rules, but legacy content will be available if it hasn't been updated. Characters will begin at level 3 and will be made during session 0. If you'd like to make your character before the session, you're more than welcome to. You may roll for stats using rules listed in the discord server, or use either point buy or the standard array. All official books are allowed with third party or partnered content approved on a case-by-case basis. Characters using the 2014 ruleset receive a bonus feat at level 1 as part of their background, unless the background awards a feat or additional spells already. In addition to your starting gear, you begin play with a potion of healing. If you have any questions or need help, I'll be available through discord prior to the session.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Players will need to have a Discord account, a D&D Beyond account, and a working microphone. If you'd like to use a webcam you're more than welcome to, but it is not required.
What Pax brings to the table
I bring a well stocked D&D Beyond library, custom maps, dynamic encounters, and thematic handouts to bring the world to life. I’m no professional voice actor, but I give every NPC distinct voices, quirks, and motivations. From grizzled captains to wide-eyed street urchins, you’ll always know who’s speaking. I honor the core rules, but I’m not afraid to bend them when it makes for a legendary moment. If your wild idea fits the tone and makes the table cheer, I’ll find a way to make it work. Your backstories matter. I weave character arcs into the world and adapt the narrative based on your decisions. My goal is to make each player feel like the protagonist of their own tale.
Homebrew rules
Healing potions can be drunk or administered to another creature as a Magic action. Doing so restores the maximum amount of HP that potion can restore. (2024 specific) Rolling a Natural 1 on a d20 test restores a character’s Heroic Inspiration. If you already have Inspiration you may give it to a party member who doesn't, otherwise it is lost. Magical items can be attuned instantly. Breaking an attunement still requires a short rest.
Equipment needed to play
Computer
Headphones
Internet
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Pax creates a safe table
Every campaign begins with a session zero. In it we cover setting expectations and tone, house rules and mechanical clarifications, party dynamics and character concepts, and a review of safety tools and boundaries. This also happens when a new player joins an ongoing campaign. During session 0, I’ll share a digital Lines & Veils form where players can privately note their boundaries. “Lines” (hard limits) and “Veils” (fade to black topics) will be respected without question, and players can update their preferences at any time. I include scheduled breaks to give everyone a moment to rest, stretch, or grab a snack, usually about 2 hours into a session. At the end of each session, we’ll do a quick Stars & Wishes round. Stars highlight moments you loved or appreciated. Wishes give you a chance to shape future sessions, express desires for character development, or flag lingering concerns. This helps me fine-tune the experience and makes sure everyone feels engaged and valued.
Content warnings
Safety tools used