Curse of Strahd | Gothic Horror Campaign (Beginner-Friendly)
The land is a trap, the people are scared, and every ally comes with strings. Who do you trust when trust is weaponised?
$20.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Wednesday - 7:30 PM UTC
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
Campaign Length / 30–45 Sessions
0 / 5 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
Welcome to Curse of Strahd A dark fantasy campaign built around choice, tension, and unforgettable characters. This table is designed to work for both brand-new players and experienced D&D veterans. Newcomers get clear support and guidance, while seasoned players get meaningful decisions, smart opposition, and a world that reacts to what you do. You don’t need to know the rules in advance. I’ll teach as we play, explain your options during scenes and combat, and help you build a character that fits the story (or you can use a pre-made character to jump straight in). You’ll always have a clear sense of “what can I do?” and “what happens if I try this?” You’ll find real agency here. Barovia is not a straight line. NPCs have motives, alliances can shift, and the campaign responds to your choices. Expect consequences that feel fair, enemies that act intelligently, and multiple ways to solve problems (talk, sneak, investigate, bargain, fight).
Game style
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Rules as Written (RaW)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(3)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Creativity, Sets the Mood, Visual Aid
About me
I’ve been playing Dungeons & Dragons since I was 10, starting back in the AD&D 2.5 era, and I’ve played every edition since with the exception of 4th edition, we can forget about that one. I currently run campaigns in both classic 5e (2014) and the revised 5e rules (2024), so whether you want the familiar feel or the newest updates, I’ve got you covered. I’ve been DMing for around a decade and I focus on clear pacing, fair spotlight, and sessions that feel like you made real progress. One of my groups has been running for almost six years with near-weekly sessions consistency and long-term story are where I shine.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
We’ll build characters together in Fantasy Grounds during Session 1 — it handles most of the rules, so don’t stress if you’re new. Want to prep early? If you’d like to create your character beforehand, message me on Discord and I can import it before Session 1 to speed things up. New players: If you want a pre-generated character, let me know — I have several ready. If not, we’ll build one together. Starting level: Level 1 Stats: Standard Array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) Allowed books Player’s Handbook (PHB) Xanathar’s Guide to Everything Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft If you’re not sure what these are, give me a shout and I’ll talk you through it. PvP / character behaviour No PvP unless it’s agreed by everyone and it genuinely serves the story. Evil-leaning characters are allowed, but no murder hobos — your PC must work with the party and not derail the game.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
You only need two things: Discord (voice) and Fantasy Grounds (gameplay). Install Discord and make sure your mic works. Install Fantasy Grounds and make sure it runs. Join the Discord call and connect to Fantasy Grounds using the details I’ll send. Log in 5–10 minutes early so we can fix any issues before we start. If you get stuck, message me — I’ll get you sorted.
What Craig brings to the table
I run character-driven dark fantasy with strong atmosphere, meaningful stakes, and a pace that stays sharp. You’ll get clear hooks and pressure, but you’re never on rails. How you solve problems is up to you, and the world reacts to what you do. We’ll be using D&D 5e (2024) rules. I run mostly Rules as Written and Intended for consistency and fairness, with Rule of Cool when it’s awesome, reasonable, and won’t break the game long term. If a rules question is stalling the table, I’ll make a quick call in the moment and we can review it after the session. I use character voices and distinct NPC personalities to make scenes memorable. I’ll use light ambience when it adds to the moment, but it never gets in the way of hearing each other or keeping the game flowing. You don’t need to be a performer to fit in here. I’m good at pulling quieter players into the spotlight without putting them on the spot. Combat is purposeful and cinematic rather than constant grinding. When a fight happens, it matters. Expect tactical choices and moments where planning and teamwork pay off, but I keep turns moving and avoid rules-lawyer slowdown. Creative solutions are encouraged, and clever play gets rewarded. Player choices have consequences. If you go loud, pick a fight, or make a risky bargain, the world responds accordingly. I’m not trying to beat you. I’m trying to make it tense, fair, and unforgettable. This table is beginner friendly and experienced player satisfying. I’ll help you learn, but I won’t remove the stakes that make victories feel earned.
Homebrew rules
Potion as a bonus action!
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Craig creates a safe table
Before we play, I’ll share a short Lines and Veils form in Discord. You can complete it privately and I’ll keep it confidential. If you’d rather not use a form, you can message me directly with anything you want included. The aim is simple: everyone knows what themes are in play, what should fade to black, and what is completely off limits. Aftercare is part of the routine. At the end of each session I’ll do a quick debrief in Discord so you can share what you enjoyed, what you want more of, and anything you’d like toned down or avoided. If a session touches heavier themes, I’ll also offer a private check-in afterwards so you can decompress without having to explain yourself in front of the group.
Content warnings
Safety tools used