Curse of Strahd | BEGINNER FRIENDLY | Level 1
The mists close in. Strahd watches. In Barovia, heroes are forged—or broken—by the darkness.
$17.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Saturday - 9:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 2–3 hours
0 / 6 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
The mists of Ravenloft have chosen you. Whether drawn by fate, folly, or misfortune, you find yourself in the cursed valley of Barovia—a land where sunlight never fully breaks through the clouds, the wolves howl with unnatural hunger, and the people whisper one name in terror: Strahd von Zarovich. He is ancient. He is powerful. And he is very, very lonely. Curse of Strahd is Dungeons & Dragons’ premier gothic horror campaign—a tale of tragedy, temptation, and terror set in a world where hope flickers like candlelight in the dark. As adventurers, you will explore mist-shrouded forests, haunted villages, and the towering spires of Castle Ravenloft itself. You’ll uncover secrets long buried beneath the cobblestones, forge uneasy alliances with desperate souls, and decide what kind of heroes—or monsters—you truly are when the night closes in. This is a campaign of choice and consequence. Every ally you trust, every path you take, and every mercy you grant shapes your story and the fate of Barovia. While combat and exploration are vital, survival here depends just as much on your wits, empathy, and courage. Moral ambiguity reigns supreme: even the kindest soul may need to stain their hands red to protect the innocent. And in a land ruled by darkness, even monsters can dream of redemption. Expect a dark, immersive narrative filled with mystery, atmosphere, and deeply personal storytelling. My DMing style blends rich character drama with tactical, cinematic combat and meaningful player agency. I encourage backstories that connect to the mists—characters haunted by guilt, seeking redemption, or simply running from something they can’t escape. The world will react to your actions; NPCs will remember your kindness—or your cruelty. And the lord of this land will be watching, always. This game is perfect for players who love story-driven adventures with strong roleplay, immersive worldbuilding, and a touch of the macabre. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or new to D&D, I’ll ensure the experience is welcoming, balanced, and tailored to your playstyle. We’ll use Foundry VTT for a fully interactive virtual tabletop experience, complete with atmospheric music, dynamic lighting, and automated character sheets to keep gameplay smooth and cinematic. You don’t have to be fearless to face Barovia—you only have to step into the mist. Together, we’ll craft a tale of dread and defiance, where your characters can shine brightly against the darkness… or embrace it. The question is not whether you’ll survive Strahd’s domain, but what kind of person you’ll become before the final sunset over Castle Ravenloft. Do you dare to dance with the devil in the mists?
Game style
Combat Heavy
Roleplay Heavy
Puzzle / Mystery Focused
Tactical / Crunchy
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
4.9
(7)
1 year on StartPlaying
1 game hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Sets the Mood, Knows the Rules
Average response time: Under 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
About me
Hey there, fellow adventurers! I’m a Dungeon Master who’s been behind the screen for 5 years and a D&D enthusiast for even longer. I’m all about roleplay and immersion, and I believe the best games happen when the story revolves around the characters. I love working with players to shape their characters’ journeys, whether it’s fleshing out your backstory or dreaming up where your story goes next. My goal is to help you bring your character to life exactly the way you want. I run a homebrew world called Astreas, a setting packed with political drama, meddling gods, and creatures of every kind. You’ll start your adventure in the Hilran Empire—a region inspired by Eastern Asia, where spirits roam the land and shape the world around them. There’s a fog-covered pirate seaport buzzing with new industry, monks meditating in the frozen north, and endless places to explore. If you’re into deep lore and rich settings, you’ll feel right at home. I’m flexible when it comes to homebrew. Instead of just saying “no,” I like to find ways to tweak your ideas so they can fit the campaign and still feel true to what you’re aiming for. If you’re looking for a game that’s built around your character’s story, I’d love to have you at my table.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
The first session will be Session 0 for all players. Once everyone is together, we'll all discuss the themes of the adventure and collaborate with one another to work out what each player wants to play as. As part of the first session, we'll do an introductory to the story of Curse of Strahd, where the players will be faced with the Death House... Stats will be Point Buy or rolled, depending on what all players decide on together. The starting level is 1, the character sheets will be created on FoundryVTT. All published content by WotC for 5e is applicable for character creation, alongside extra homebrew content presented during Session 0.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
- A Discord account to voice call together on a server - Stable internet connection with the ability to join FoundryVTT via a browser (no sign up required)
What Nazoned brings to the table
When you join one of my games, you can expect a fully immersive, story-driven experience that balances fair challenge with creative freedom. I run adventures through Foundry VTT, featuring CzePeku’s stunning battle maps, ambient soundscapes from TableTopAudio, and custom lighting, effects, and automation for smooth and cinematic play. My approach to DMing blends structure and spontaneity — I use the rules as a foundation, but my focus is on making your story shine. I follow a “Yes, and” philosophy, building upon your ideas to help you fulfill the fantasy you’ve envisioned for your character. Whether you’re a strategist, storyteller, or roleplay enthusiast, there’s space for your playstyle at my table. As a fair but creative DM, I like to challenge players without punishing them for trying bold ideas. Combat is tactical, dynamic, and influenced by the environment — I love using interactive terrain and clever foes to keep you on your toes. However, I also value character-driven storytelling. Your actions shape the world around you, and choices carry weight both narratively and mechanically. Between encounters, expect rich roleplay opportunities, moral dilemmas, and scenes that let your character’s personality shine. You can bring material from Loot Tavern, Steinhardt’s Guide to the Eldritch Hunt, or other well-known third-party sources (pending review), as long as it fits your concept and the tone of the adventure. Most importantly, I aim to make every session engaging, inclusive, and collaborative. You don’t need to perform or act in character to enjoy the world — I use expressive narration, character voices, and environmental storytelling to draw you in, while you participate at whatever level feels right for you. Expect an atmosphere of mutual creativity, where laughter and intensity coexist, and where every choice — from a daring strike to a heartfelt conversation — helps shape the ongoing tale. My goal is simple: to make each session feel alive, memorable, and uniquely yours.
Homebrew rules
I am not expecting to use homebrew rules for this multishot, but I can certainly include any that the party are all down for if it's unanimous.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Nazoned creates a safe table
Player comfort and safety are a top priority at my table. Before we begin, I make sure every player feels secure and respected, both in-game and out-of-game. I provide a digital copy of my Lines and Veils document ahead of time so everyone can review and share their boundaries. During Session 0, we’ll discuss these boundaries together and fill out X (hard limits), N (soft limits), and O (open topics) either via private messages or shared online forms. This ensures that everyone’s comfort zones are respected. Session 0 Discussion: We cover tone, content expectations, and safety tools, so players know exactly what to expect and how to communicate concerns. We also talk about character concepts, mechanics, and any content that may need special attention. During the game, I check in regularly, and players are free to pause or step away if needed. After particularly intense or emotional sessions, I provide aftercare through group debriefs or private messages, making sure everyone leaves the table feeling safe and supported. X, N, & O’s can be handled digitally, messaged privately, or held up on camera depending on what’s most comfortable for the group. Players choose the method that works best for them. My goal is to create an inclusive, respectful, and fun environment where everyone can enjoy the story without worry.
Content warnings
Safety tools used