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Curse of Strahd DND 5e: Return of the Barovian (Lvl 1-20)
In a land of eternal twilight ruled by Vampire Lord Strahd. Are you brave enough to challenge the darkness? To rage against the ever-dying light?
$30.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Wednesday - 7:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
0 / 6 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
Barovia is a land where the sun seldom shines, where the villagers whisper of wolves, witches, and darker things lurking in the woods. Above it all towers Castle Ravenloft, home to the immortal Count Strahd von Zarovich, whose charm is as deadly as his bite. The mists that brought you here will not let you leave unless you can unravel the mysteries of this cursed domain. This is a complete Curse of Strahd campaign, expanded to carry characters from level 1 all the way to level 20. You’ll begin as humble adventurers just trying to survive the horrors of Barovia, but over time, your story will grow into an epic struggle that decides not only your fate, but the fate of the entire land. Choices you make will echo through the campaign: who you trust, who you betray, and how you face Strahd himself. Expect a balanced mix of roleplay, exploration, and combat. You’ll meet allies who may not be what they seem, confront ancient evils, and face Strahd’s growing obsession with your party. I emphasize atmosphere and immersion. You’ll feel the dread of Barovia creeping into every session. While still keeping the table fun, collaborative, and safe. Whether you’re brand new to D&D or a veteran seeking an unforgettable gothic horror campaign, this game welcomes you. Together we’ll weave a story full of danger, dread, and heroism, where every decision matters and the climax will test you at the highest levels of play. The only question is: when Strahd finally offers you his hand, will you take it?
Game style
Combat Lite
Realm Building
Roleplay Heavy
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Sandbox / Open World
Theater of the Mind
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(14)
1 year on StartPlaying
26 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Storytelling
Average response time: 2 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
Hello Team! I am Caleb the Bard! A cosplayer, content creator and overall TTRPG nerd in the space with over a decade of GM experience. The amazing community I have found has brought about opportunities I couldn't have imagined, including meeting and working with wonderful companies like Start Playing. I identify as a white male with ever-evolving progressive ideologies. So, yes, capitalism is often the villain in my games but no matter the BBEG, I build the table around Mindfulness, Intention, and Inspiration with player driven storytelling. I primarily play D&D but am also very familiar with; Kids on Bikes, Marvel, Monster of the week, Masks, Daggerheart and always learning more. I am a lifelong actor, starting on the stage and started my D&D journey in highschool (2013) and started DMing around 2018. I would love to get to know the team and start on my dream of DMing full time. Let me know if you have any questions or clarifications for me! Feel free to reach out to Caleb the Bard on all socials or check out my work with The Stranger's Guild, Hilarity Saves, or Cole Wulfrun, (Dicescape, Haunted Halls, Dice Times, Cast Party and a few other projects are in the works)
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Characters will begin at Level 1 and advance all the way through Level 20 over the course of the campaign. We’ll create characters before Session 1, so everyone comes ready to play. If not, that is okay! I would love to build your character with you. I’ll host a short Session 0 to discuss expectations, safety tools, and tie characters into the story. Stats: Players may use Point Buy or Standard Array, just let me know which style you prefer. If you’d like to roll, we can do so together during Session 0 for fairness. Your character should start beautifully flawed so we can create an epic heroes journey together. Books/Content: All official Wizards of the Coast 5e material is allowed. Unearthed Arcana and third-party content may be considered case by case. I am open to fun suggestions but want to make sure we are all in the same theme. Backstories: I encourage backstories that include a personal goal, fear, or secret. Even short ideas are fine. I’ll help weave them into the world. Party Connections: During Session 0, we’ll also discuss how your characters know (or meet) each other, so the group feels cohesive from the start. PS I love to have players come into Session 0/1 with a list of 5 Magic Items and 5 Feats aside from the build of Rules as Written to help incentivize the early game.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
To join the game, players should: Set up an account on (StartPlaying + Discord) Discord: since that’s where we’ll handle voice chat, game announcements, and out-of-session discussions. Bring your character sheet digital on D&D Beyond or send to me through discord. We will discuss interest of a VTT during Session 0. Test your microphone before the first session to ensure smooth communication. A webcam is preferred for immersion but optional. Come ready with your character concept, even if it’s just a rough idea. I’ll help fill in details during Session 0.
What Caleb brings to the table
As your DM, I aim to create an immersive, cinematic, and collaborative experience. Here’s what you can expect: Atmosphere: Creepy ambient music, sound effects (Pocket Bard and Monument Studios), and vivid narration to bring Barovia’s gothic horror to life. Roleplay: NPC voices, mannerisms, and deep characterization to make every interaction memorable. Combat: Tactical and challenging, but fair. I balance encounters for tension without overwhelming the party. Storytelling: Your backstories and choices matter. Strahd reacts to you, and the world changes with your actions. Style: I blend Rules-as-Written with the “Rule of Cool.” If something cinematic and fun fits the tone, I’ll allow it. BASED ON A ROLL :) Safety Tools: Open-table communication, X-card, and lines/veils to ensure everyone feels safe and respected while exploring dark themes.
Homebrew rules
I use a few light-touch homebrew rules to enhance pacing and fun: Potions as Bonus Action: Drinking a healing potion in combat takes a bonus action, not a full action. Heroic Inspiration: Awarded for great roleplay, clever solutions, or leaning into your character’s flaws. Critical Hits: Max damage + damage on top, making crits feel impactful without being swingy. Death Saves: Rolling a natural 1 counts as two failures; a natural 20 pops you back up with 1 HP. Optional table rules (discussed in Session 0): Milestone Leveling instead of XP for smoother pacing. “Flashback” Roleplay: Players can narrate short flashbacks mid-session to reveal character history when relevant.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Physical Dice
Platforms used
Safety
How Caleb creates a safe table
I ensure safety at the table by sending out a consent sheet before Session 0. We do aftercare with a homebrewed approach to lines and veils. (cat cards for X's and O'x)
Content warnings
Safety tools used