CURSE OF STRAHD: Beginner, LGBTQ, POC , Teens 14 to 18 welcome

Creating your character

Their will be a game zero on where will create character together as a group. if any one joins after our first game I will be happy to create their character with them before we start if schedules permit.

Preparing for the session

A mic and a web cam ( the web cam is not always necessary but it is nice to say hello before we sit down and focus for our game) For Foundry VTT you need a moderns PC running Windows 10 or 11 that can run a chrome based browser here is a link to a more specific system requirements https://foundryvtt.com/article/requirements/

What Raul "the Friendly Neighborhood Game Master" brings to the table

What Do I Bring to Our Game? My focus is on cooperative storytelling, crafting harrowing situations filled with political intrigue, intense combat, and environmental challenges. I love building intricate mysteries for the group to unravel, and I ensure the world reacts to player choices—your actions will shape not only your character's life but the entire narrative. I use Foundry as our Virtual Tabletop (VTT) of choice, so you'll need to create an account on The Forge to log in. https://forge-vtt.com/account/login Expect accents and voices—some will be great, some hilariously bad—but if they don't enhance the story, I'll drop them. Music plays a big role in setting the tone, and I'll share it through Zoom or provide a Spotify link. We'll use Zoom for video conferencing, and I'll also create a Discord server for the party to stay connected.

Homebrew rules

Home Brew Rules are part of most tables. These are discussed on our Discord and are handled as a living document. It will change and shift depending on the needs of the group. we are using the 2024 rules since it is the most supported version on Foundry VTT

How Raul "the Friendly Neighborhood Game Master" creates a safe table

Our Game Environment This group is Beginner-friendly, LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 friendly, and POC- 👋🏿👋🏾👋🏽👋🏼 friendly. Our campaign is set in the cursed land of Barovia, a realm of gothic horror where the mists twist hope into despair, and the shadow of Count Strahd von Zarovich looms over all. The story will explore dark castles, haunted forests, and the tragic lives of those trapped in Strahd’s domain. While the setting is grim and full of peril, our table is safe, inclusive, and welcoming to everyone. We celebrate diversity, and this game welcomes people of color, LGBTQ+ players, neurodivergent individuals, and participants from all backgrounds. Everyone deserves to feel respected, heard, and comfortable in our shared story. Hateful behavior—including racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, or bullying—will not be tolerated. A single warning may be given as a chance to adjust. Continued violations will result in removal from the game. Our goal is to keep Barovia frightening, but our table is safe. Player Discretion This is a horror game at its core. While our table is a safe and inclusive space, the story itself is meant to be unsettling. I will not remove the essential elements (of horror, tragedy, death, and violence) that give Curse of Strahd its weight and atmosphere. Players should expect themes of gothic horror, body horror and madness. Also Tragic romance, manipulation and drama are all woven into the fabric of Barovia. These elements are vital to maintaining the fear, tension, and tragic beauty of the tale. Lines and Veils Curse of Strahd explores dark themes: tragedy, fear, manipulation, violence, and corruption. To ensure those themes are handled with care and respect, we will use Lines and Veils: Lines: Hard limits—content that will never appear in the game. Veils: Softer limits—content that may exist but will be handled off-screen or with care. Breaks and the Open-Door Policy Even in the far future, your well-being comes first. Scheduled Breaks: We’ll take regular pauses so players can decompress, grab a drink, or just breathe. Player-Initiated Breaks: Anyone can request a break at any time for any reason—no explanation needed. Open-Door Policy: Need to step away for part of the session or even the whole game? That’s always okay. You can rejoin when you’re ready, no questions asked.