Curse of Strahd: Legends of Dread - 3-20 (FEATS + Grim Hollow)
This is not just a retelling of Curse of Strahd. This is a full campaign reimagining—integrating deep character arcs, monstrous life paths and dread.
About the adventure
⚰️ CURSE OF STRAHD: LEGENDS OF DREAD An Unmatched Dark Fantasy Experience – Level 3–20 Step into a realm not just ruled by Strahd von Zarovich…, but controlled by something older, crueller, and more calculating. The Mists do more than trap Barovia—they beckon marked souls with tragic destinies. In Legends of Dread, your character isn’t a mere traveler. You’re part of an ancient, bloody tapestry—and this story bends and shifts around your legend. 🩸 What Awaits You Epically Reimagined Storyline – Far beyond the original Curse of Strahd, this homebrew reworks every major arc. Expect shocking new NPCs, powerful mysteries, and domain-spanning lore drawn from Van Richten’s Guide and I, Strahd. Sandbox + Player Agency – You forge your own path in Barovia, Krezk, Vallaki, and even beyond—venturing into other Domains of Dread. Your choices matter, disrupting canon where needed to etch your legend. Cinematic Combat & Moral Dilemmas – From oppressive fog-drenched forests to gothic mansions dripping with dread, each session offers visceral, tactical battles intertwined with heartfelt roleplay. Grim Transformations & Dark Ascension In Legends of Dread, the horror cuts deeper than blade or spell. As your soul bends under Barovia’s weight, you’ll unlock the chance to embrace forbidden paths through the Grim Hollow transformation system. 🩸 Become the Monster – Choose to pursue the dark road of a Vampire, Lich, Revenant, Specter, or something far more eldritch. 🕯️ Corruption Has Costs – Power comes at a price: your mind, your soul, or your allies. 📜 Narrative Integration – Transformations are earned through story, temptation, and sacrifice—not just picked at level-up. Whether you fall or fight against it, the Dark Powers are always watching. 🎯 Campaign Highlights Level Range 🩸 1–20, from fledgling survivor to domain-walker Atmospheric Storytelling 🩸 Gothic terror layered with deep NPC development Homebrew NPCs & Lore 🩸 Custom villains, tragedies, and secret histories Inter-Domain Travel 🩸 Move between Domains of Dread, confronting shifting horrors Enhanced Immersion 🩸 Visual art, playlists, voice-acted NPCs & cinematic moments EPIC FEAT SYSYEM - Starting at level 4 and beyond, every 2 levels you will gain an additional FREE FEAT. 🔥 Your Experience Authentic dark fantasy horror, with tension woven into every corner Player-centered storytelling—relationships, discoveries, and your choices shape the campaign Flexible, reactive narrative—your creativity changes the world Gothic tragedy made personal: no one leaves Barovia unchanged 🎟️ Spaces Are Limited If you crave a modernized, immersive twist on Curse of Strahd, with freedom, heartbreak, and horror in equal measure, this is for you. Enjoy candlelit whispers in dusty halls? Yearn for meaningful decisions†that echo across dread domains? This is your moment. 🪦 Enter the Mists. Forge your legend. Sign up now—fear and glory await.
Game style
Roleplay Heavy
Combat Heavy
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
Less than a year on StartPlaying
15 games hosted
Highly rated for: Sets the Mood, Voices, Visual Aid
Average response time: 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
About me
🕯️ Storyteller. Voice Actor. Master of Cinematic Mayhem. 🕯️ Welcome to the table. I’m DM Maximus - a professional GM with over a decade of experience weaving brutal, beautiful tales across systems and genres. Whether it’s the creeping dread of Call of Cthulhu, the corporate horror of ALIEN, or high-octane heroism in Dungeons & Dragons, I bring immersive storytelling, tactical encounters, and living worlds that respond to your choices. I specialize in games that feel cinematic, character-driven, and dangerous. Not every story is grim, but every moment matters. My games are shaped by your characters, with arcs that evolve from their decisions, flaws, and fire. 🎭 Full voice acting and immersive NPCs 🎲 Smart, tactical combat with impact 🧩 Puzzles, social intrigue, and real consequences ⚔️ Campaigns and one-shots built for emotional weight and unforgettable turns Whether you’re carving through a haunted domain, making deals in neon-drenched space stations, or trying to survive your last day in Hadley’s Hope - I'm here to make sure every session hits like a freight train. Come ready to burn bright or die loud. Let’s make some legends.
View Profile →Reviews (11)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Sets the Mood
Voices
Visual Aid
after spending the last two years or so of trying to find a worth while game i finally found it with DM Maximus. He puts so much into his games. the VTT set ups are amazing, he creates these hubs where everything is condensed and concise and you don't have to spend alot of time trying to figure it out. His maps and backgrounds are on point. His choice of music really sets the mood and tone for the part of the plot you are in. He even includes cut scene videos. The effort he puts into setting the stage for the characters really shines through. Hes as invested into the PC's as the actual players. He weaves your back story in, he rewards creativity. Its just and all around enjoyable experience and i look forward to playing this and hopefully many other campaigns with him.
Fantastic time with DM Maximus! It took a bit of time to get things going technically at first but that is to be expected with such high-level (25) characters and a less-familiar platform. But once we got rolling, it was a blast. Very professional maps and music, fantastic voices, and a fun storyline to keep things moving forward. Maximus didn't bat an eye at our crazy OP builds and welcomed the challenge. Would definitely recommend, and look forward to playing with him again.
If you're looking for a high-tier high-level game where you're free to bring the craziest build imaginable and yet still be challenged, Maximus is absolutely the DM for you. Manages to balance things even around absurdly powerful builds, which is no small feat, and runs fun combats. That's not to say combat is all he's good at, he also made good use of character voices and the one-shot I played with him had some fun RP moments as well
Character creation
Creating your character
Characters will be created before Session 0, so we can dive into introductions and gameplay right away. I’m always available to workshop ideas or help you bring your concept to life in a way that fits the tone and world. Starting Level: 3 Stats: Point Buy (standard 27 points) Allowed Sources: All official Wizards of the Coast 5e content up to and including Spelljammer. Critical Role content is not used No homebrew required—every official race and subclass is on the table. No races are banned. Silvery Barbs is a 2nd-level spell in my campaigns (not 1st level). Characters will be built and shared via D&D Beyond, which I provide campaign access to (with full sourcebooks unlocked for you). You’ll then link your character sheet into the Foundry VTT for gameplay. Have a wild concept? A dark secret? A dream of vengeance, prophecy, or ambition? Tell me—I’m here to help weave your character into the story in a way that matters. Let's make something legendary.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
💻 Tech & Access No webcams required — just a working microphone so we can communicate clearly during the game. We'll be using Discord for voice chat, with an invite link provided upon joining. The game is hosted on Foundry VTT, which runs directly in your browser — no download needed! Chrome, Firefox, and Opera are recommended; sometimes one works better than another depending on your setup. No extra purchases needed — I provide full D&D Beyond content through campaign sharing, and everything else is handled through Foundry. Just join the Discord, make your character with the tools provided, and show up ready to dive into the mists.
What DM Maximus brings to the table
🎁 What I Bring to the Table 🛠️ Tools & Tech Foundry VTT with cutting-edge features: animated spells, dynamic lighting, 3D dice, macros, soundboards, and complete combat automation for smooth, immersive gameplay. D&D Beyond Content (up through Spelljammer) shared freely with the campaign—every official race, class, spell, item, feat, and more at your fingertips. Custom maps, bespoke tokens, and cinematic battlemaps made or tailored for each encounter, dungeon, and location. Epic soundscapes & ambient music scored live to fit each moment—whether it's mournful violins in Barovia or pulse-pounding orchestral combat. 🎭 Game Mastering Style Character-First Philosophy: I am a fan of your character. My #1 rule is, “How can we make this happen?” If you want a moment of glory, I’ll build the battlefield for it. I reward clever thinking, creative spell use, and bold roleplay. Rules are there to serve the story, not suffocate it. Big roleplay energy: I fully embody my NPCs. Accents, personalities, motives—whether it’s a haunted priest or a sadistic vampire, I make them feel real. Tactical combat with flair: Expect intense, cinematic battles where enemies use smart tactics—but you still get to shine like a legend. Choices matter. Your actions ripple outward. Expect consequences, alliances, betrayals, and long shadows.
Homebrew rules
Reactions refresh at the top of the round, not at the start of a character's turn. Silvery Barbs is a 2nd level spell. Taking a potion is a bonus action.
Equipment needed to play
Computer
Internet
Microphone
Headphones
Platforms used
Safety
How DM Maximus creates a safe table
🛡️ Safety Tools & Session 0 This campaign uses X-Cards and anonymous flagging tools via Foundry VTT, so players can communicate boundaries in real time without breaking immersion. Player comfort and agency are core values—this is gothic horror, but it's collaborative gothic horror. We'll kick off with a Session 0 (included in your booking) that covers: Table expectations and group tone Safety tools and lines/veils Brief rules clarifications or house rules Player character intros and backstory tie-ins Characters will be created before Session 0, so we can jump right into immersive play. Expect some in-character gameplay in Session 0 as well—we waste no time getting into the fog...
Content warnings
Safety tools used
Additional tables
3 available
Weekly / Thursday – 12:00 AM UTC
Jul 17 / Session 7
4 / 5 Seats Filled
Weekly / Thursday – 4:35 AM UTC
0 / 5 Seats Filled
Weekly / Friday – 12:15 AM UTC
1 / 5 Seats Filled