Curse of Strahd - 2014

Creating your character

Characters will begin at **level 2** and be created using **point buy** with the **2014 D&D 5E ruleset**. We will be using **D&D Beyond** for character creation and management. I am happy to work with players during Session Zero to make sure the party has a healthy balance of roles, but I will never force specific builds or limit creativity. Individuality and character concept come first, with collaboration used only to help the group function well together.

Preparing for the session

Once you have joined the campaign, you will need to create a free account on **The Forge** for the virtual tabletop, use **D&D Beyond** for character creation, and join my **Discord server** using the invite link I provide. These tools allow us to keep the game organized, accessible, and running smoothly each session.

What Aaron Jahns brings to the table

As your DM, I provide a well-prepared and immersive experience each session, including atmospheric scenes and ambient music, detailed battlemaps for combat and exploration, and a strong focus on tone and storytelling. I make a genuine effort to bring NPCs to life with distinct voices and personalities, within the limits of my ability. I generally run the game using rules as written, with any house rules or light homebrew discussed clearly during Session Zero. While I am not opposed to the rule of cool, I believe it works best in moderation and in service of the story rather than as a replacement for consistent rules.

Homebrew rules

During Session Zero, we will discuss table-variant rules such as drinking a potion as a bonus action, critical hit rules, flanking, and other mechanics that often differ from table to table. I will share my preferences, but as long as the group generally agrees, we will choose a consistent approach and apply it evenly for everyone throughout the campaign.

How Aaron Jahns creates a safe table

Player safety and comfort are a priority at my table. During Session Zero, we will discuss boundaries using tools like **Lines and Veils**, establish expectations for tone and content, and make sure everyone understands what themes may appear in the campaign. I also encourage regular check-ins and brief debriefing conversations as needed, especially after heavier sessions. If anything ever makes you uncomfortable, whether it is in-game content or an interparty issue, you are always welcome to message me privately at any time. We can pause the game if needed and make adjustments so that everyone feels safe, respected, and able to enjoy the experience.