Against the Vampire Lord! [Beginner & LGBTQ+ friendly]

Creating your character

🩸 Everyone will create their characters during session 0. 🩸 You will roll 3d6 down the line, though I let players swap two values together for more customization. 🩸 If none of your rolls is 14 or higher, you can discard the whole set and reroll your stats, until you get at least one value over thirteen. 🩸 Characters will start at Level 1, with character options taken both from the core book and the Cursed Scroll zine #1.

Preparing for the session

Before you join the game, please make sure you have access to the following things: 🩸 Have a Discord Account- We'll use voice chat here to host the session. 🩸 Use a working microphone so we don't lose any swears, cheers, or battle cries. 🩸 A good pair of headphones so you don't miss a beat. 🩸 Cams are encouraged, yet optional! I'll be running my camera, as I'm comfortable and feel that it adds to player immersion. No pressure on your end, but would love to have you join. 🩸 Have a reliable computer and stable internet access so you can jump in to Roll20 or Owlbear Rodeo.

What Javi GZ brings to the table

I have decades running ttrpgs under my belt. I strive to bring the characters and the world to life. I do voices when I can and add my own spin to the world and the NPCs so they stand out. The way I run combat also errs on the more challenging side. Whether your main interest is dungeon crawling, intense combat, looting, or social encounters, there should be a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy.

Homebrew rules

1️⃣ PCs start the game with maximum hit points at level 1. 2️⃣ Light timers last 30 minutes. 3️⃣ You only regain HP equal to one roll of your hit points die and recover 1 stat damage per stat with each successful rest. Dwarves roll with advantage. 4️⃣ Spellcasters choose 1d4 lost spells to regain after a successful rest. 5️⃣ Spellcasters can choose not to lose their spells after a failed spellcasting roll by taking 1 CON damage per spell Tier. 6️⃣ All characters start with one luck point, and luck points can be transferred session to session. 7️⃣ Character's can't be stabilized at zero hit points. Characters either have at least 1 hit point or they're dying. Performing first aid on a dying character allow them to regain 1 hit point.

How Javi GZ creates a safe table

This is a gothic horror campaign, so dark themes, fear, tension, and mature scenarios are part of the experience. That said, everyone deserves a table where they know the boundaries, understand the tone, and feel comfortable speaking up if something crosses a personal line. I keep safety tools simple, clear, and unobtrusive so the game stays immersive without becoming overly sanitized. 🩸 Session 0 Basics. Before we begin, we’ll briefly cover: - Tone (dark fantasy, horror, tension—not torture or shock content). - Player expectations (team-focused, respectful, cooperative). - Campaign elements you can and cannot expect. This takes just a few minutes and ensures we all start on the same page. 📄 Lines & Veils (Short Version). I provide a short list of common lines & veils in Discord. You can add anything privately or publicly. No essays, no deep dives—just clear boundaries. Lines = Not included. Veils = May appear, but only off-screen. This keeps the campaign intense without crossing genuine comfort limits. 🛑 X/N/O Tools (Simple & Quiet). I use a minimal, discreet system that does not interrupt the game: X = “Hard stop, skip this, move on.” N = “Not loving this direction, adjust a bit.” O = “All good, keep going.” You can message me directly or drop the letter in Discord. You never need to explain why. 🧭 Respect at the Table. I expect everyone to: - Respect each other - Avoid PvP unless explicitly agreed - Keep character conflict in-character only - Use mature judgment when dealing with horror themes. ⚖️ Horror With Control. Curse of Strahd includes dread, danger, and intensity—but I do not use: - Graphic gore for shock value - Sexual violence (hard line) - Torture scenes - Misery for misery’s sake Horror should feel engaging and dramatic, not exploitative or uncomfortable. 💬 Aftercare (Lightweight). After each session, I open a quick check-in channel where you can: - Ask questions. - Clarify moments. - Mention anything that didn’t land right. - Celebrate cool character moments. It’s optional and brief—no group therapy, just honest communication.