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Curse of Strahd
Gothic horror awaits in Barovia. The mists bring you to Strahd’s domain—can you escape his grasp, or will you be his prey?
$20.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Sunday - 4:00 AM UTC
Mar 15 / Session 7
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
5 / 5 Seats Filled
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Schedule
Meet your party members
5/5
About the adventure
Step into the mists of Barovia, a land of eternal twilight where hope is scarce and the vampire Lord Strahd von Zarovich watches your every move. Curse of Strahd is one of D&D’s most iconic adventures—an intense blend of gothic horror, mystery, and survival. This campaign will emphasize roleplay and story-driven choices over combat. Your decisions will shape the world and narrative, and while we’ll follow the Curse of Strahd sourcebook closely, there will always be room for player agency and improvisation. You’ll need a willingness to dive into the dark and unsettling atmosphere of Ravenloft. The game will explore mature themes: horror, blood, body horror, monsters, and moments of genuine dread. Together, we’ll create a chilling story of survival, heroism, and corruption. What to Expect: * Roleplay-Focused: Conversations, choices, and character relationships drive the story. * Meaningful Consequences: Your decisions will have weight—changing how Barovia reacts to you. * Horror Themes: Gothic terror, gore, and unsettling encounters. * Tools We’ll Use: D&D Beyond for sheets/rolls, Discord for voice (mic required, camera optional). This game welcomes both new and experienced players—whether you’re stepping into D&D for the first time or looking to revisit one of the most iconic campaigns in a fresh way.
Game style
Roleplay Heavy
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Combat Lite
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(5)
5 years on StartPlaying
16 games hosted
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Creativity, Rule of Cool
Average response time: Under 1 hour
Response rate: 50%
About me
Hey there, adventurers! My name’s Josh, and I’ve been crafting worlds, weaving tales, and leading parties through danger and drama since 2012. I started my GM journey with D&D 4th Edition, but my love of storytelling quickly expanded to include a variety of systems — D&D 5e, Kids on Bikes, Kids on Brooms, Marvel Multiverse RPG, and many others. My tables are all about story and character first. I’m a big believer in “roleplay over roll play” — the dice matter, sure, but it’s the decisions, dialogue, and depth of your characters that truly shape the world around them. I want every session to feel like an evolving story arc where your heroes grow, stumble, triumph, and leave a mark on the world — and on you as players. I don’t rely on voices, but my NPCs each come with their own quirks, personalities, and heart — because even the barkeep deserves to feel real. Whether we’re chasing eldritch horrors, unraveling a teen mystery, or facing down supervillains in the Marvel universe, I’m here to make sure the story feels alive, cinematic, and unforgettable. I’ve also had the pleasure of being an Action Ranger with Hunter’s Entertainment, running their narrative-rich systems (Kids on Bikes, Alice Is Missing, Outbreak: Undead, and more) for virtual conventions. Those experiences shaped my approach to GMing — immersive stories, emotional moments, and player-driven narratives are what I live for. If you’re looking for a GM who values collaboration, creativity, and storytelling that sticks with you long after the dice stop rolling, then I’d love to welcome you to my table. Let’s make something memorable together.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
We’ll hold a free Session 0 to build characters together, discuss ideas, set expectations, and make sure everyone is on the same page. * Characters will be created using the 2024 Player’s Handbook only (for consistency and fairness). * We’ll use D&D Beyond (free account required). I’ll provide a campaign link for character creation.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Before stepping into the mists of Barovia, please make sure you: 1. Read the game listing so you understand the tone, themes, and expectations (this is a gothic horror game). 2. Create a free D&D Beyond account. I’ll send you a campaign link to build your character. 3. Set up a Discord account so I can add you to the game’s server. 4. Make sure you have a working microphone for clear communication (camera is optional). 5. Come to Session 0 with a rough character concept in mind (no need to finalize yet). 6. Think about any lines or veils you’d like to establish. We’ll review safety tools to make sure the game is comfortable and fun for everyone. 7. Be ready for dark themes: blood, gore, body horror, monsters, and intense gothic atmosphere.
What Josh brings to the table
I aim to create an immersive and collaborative storytelling experience where your choices matter. While I’m not the strongest at voices, I do try to give NPCs personality, and I use ambient music to heighten the atmosphere of Barovia. I embrace the Rule of Cool and use improvisation to give players as much freedom of choice as possible. At times, players may even step into the roles of NPCs during improv scenes, so everyone has a chance to stay involved—especially when the story splits in different directions. I’ll set the scene with as much detail and mood as I can, keeping the focus on roleplay and player-driven narrative while still balancing combat when it arises. For tools, I provide a full setup with my own microphone, Discord server, and a D&D Beyond Maps account to keep the game running smoothly.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Josh creates a safe table
We'll use Line and Veils for our safety system at the table. After our 0 session, I'll craft and send out a document to remind everyone of what we've decided on for them.
Content warnings
Safety tools used