Curse of Strahd: A Play-by-Post Heroic Gothic Horror Experience
The Devil Strahd awaits. Enter his mist-shrouded domain for a gothic horror adventure driven by deep roleplay and atmospheric storytelling.
$24.00
/ Session
Details
Play by Post (Asynchronous)
Billed Weekly / Sunday - 8:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 1 hour
1 / 6 Seats Filled
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Meet your party members
1/6
About the adventure
Welcome to the mist-shrouded realm of Barovia, where ancient evils stir and hope itself seems cursed. You are strangers drawn together by fate—or perhaps by the machinations of darker powers—trapped within a land that exists outside of time and morality. Here, the vampire lord Strahd von Zarovich rules from his castle high above, viewing mortals as pieces in an elaborate, centuries-spanning game of chess. Every shadow conceals secrets, every villager harbors desperate whispers, and every choice you make ripples through a realm where the dead do not rest easy. This is gothic horror at its finest—a slow-burn narrative that thrives on atmosphere, character development, and the weight of moral ambiguity. As a text-based play-by-post campaign, we'll craft this dark tale together through detailed descriptions, rich character interactions, and collaborative storytelling. Your posts become the pages of our shared novel, where every character's voice matters and every conversation can shift the story's direction. Using Discord with Avrae for dice mechanics and Tupperbox for immersive character roleplay, we'll explore themes of corruption, redemption, and what it truly means to face the darkness—both around you and within yourself. New to play-by-post? You're absolutely welcome here! This format is perfect for developing your roleplay skills, as you have time to craft thoughtful responses and really dig into your character's motivations. I'm committed to being available from 8 AM to 7 PM (MST), Monday through Friday, to keep our story moving forward, though player conversations and character development can continue around the clock. Whether you're a D&D veteran or someone curious about collaborative storytelling, if you're drawn to atmospheric horror and character-driven narratives, Barovia awaits your arrival. Will you escape the mists, or become another tale of tragedy whispered in Barovia's cursed villages?
Game style
Play By Post
Roleplay Heavy
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(23)
3 years on StartPlaying
227 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Sets the Mood, Knows the Rules
About me
I've been a passionate D&D player since 1980, when I first discovered the game at the age of 8 through the treasured time spent playing with my father. My love for the game grew, and I began my journey as a DM at the age of 16. With over three decades of experience, I've come to appreciate the unique magic that unfolds when players take the reins and "write" their own adventures within the rich tapestry of the game world. As a DM, I strive to create an open, humorous atmosphere where players feel encouraged to explore, roleplay, and shape the story. I believe that the beauty of D&D lies in the non-linear nature of the narrative, and I take great joy in watching players craft their own paths. While I tend to focus more on roleplaying (around 70%) compared to combat (30%), I'm always happy to adapt to the preferences of my players. At my table, you'll find a welcoming environment where discussion and metagaming are not just tolerated but encouraged. I believe that open communication is key to creating a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. I do have a few house rules to keep things exciting, such as allowing Champion Fighters to crit on an 18 instead of a 19. However, I always make sure that the DM has the final say to maintain a smooth game flow. Ultimately, my goal is for players to walk away from my games with positive emotions and a desire to continue their D&D journey. I want them to feel that the time spent at my table was a worthy investment in their entertainment and a source of fond memories. If you're looking for a DM who is passionate, adaptable, and dedicated to creating an engaging and fun experience, I'd be honored to have you join one of my games
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Character creation happens before our first session and should be completed on D&D Beyond. All characters start at level 1, as befitting newcomers drawn into Barovia's mysterious mists. For stats, we'll use D&D Beyond's standard array or point buy system - no rolling for ability scores to ensure balanced characters who can all contribute meaningfully to our collaborative story. Since this is a roleplay-heavy campaign, I encourage you to focus on creating a character with clear motivations, fears, and personality traits that will shine in our text-based format. All official D&D 5e content is welcome, and don't worry if you don't own the books - when you join my D&D Beyond campaign, I'll share access to all the official sourcebooks you'll need. However, keep in mind that Barovia is a gothic horror setting isolated from the broader multiverse, so work with me to ensure your character concept fits the dark, European-inspired atmosphere. New to character creation or play-by-post? No problem! I'm happy to help guide you through the process and offer suggestions for character concepts that work well in Curse of Strahd's atmospheric, investigation-heavy environment. The most important thing is creating someone you're excited to write as and explore through our collaborative storytelling. We'll have a brief Session 0 discussion once characters are created to establish party dynamics and ensure everyone's backstory threads can weave naturally into Barovia's dark tapestry.
## 🏰 CURSE OF STRAHD: Can You Survive the Devil’s Shadow? 🦇 The mist didn't just rise; it **claimed** you. You remember the sudden chill in the air and the way the trees seemed to lean in close. You remember the sound of a lone wolf's howl echoing through the Svalich Woods. But most of all, you remember the weight on your soul as the heavy iron gates of Barovia groaned shut behind you. You aren't just a traveler anymore—you are a guest of the Count. The Mists have closed, and it’s time to face the darkness to find your way home. ### 🕯️ A Dark Gothic Odyssey This is a gritty, high-stakes table for **Curse of Strahd**, reimagined with the **2024 Rules**. In this land, your survival depends on your courage, your allies, and the light you carry. * **A Call to Heroism:** This is a story about the light in the darkness. We are looking for **true heroes** who work together to overcome the impossible. As such, **no evil or evil-leaning characters** are permitted. We succeed as a team, or we fall as individuals. * **The "Survivor’s" Path:** This is a story where your moral compass is tested. Not every monster can be slain with a blade, and sometimes a silvered tongue is more valuable than a silvered axe. * **Hit the Ground Running:** We are **skipping the "Death House" intro**. While iconic, its lethality is a momentum-killer for PBP. Instead, we are jumping straight into the heart of the story, **starting at Level 2**, so you have the features you need to stay alive. * **Character Agency:** As your GM, I believe in the **"Rule of Fear & Cool."** If you have a desperate, creative plan to outsmart a vampire or protect a dying village, I’m here to make it a legendary moment. * **Daily Momentum:** No more "dead" games. I provide at least one major story update every weekday (Mon-Fri) to keep the tension high and the world moving. ### 🛡️ Our "Mist-Shrouded" Session 0 We won't get bogged down in technicalities. As soon as you join, we will jump into a collaborative Session 0 in our group chat where we will: * **Discover Your "Barovian Hook":** We will weave a personal mystery—a missing loved one, a cursed heirloom, or a dark omen—into your character’s very soul. * **Meet the Survivors:** Decide if our party is a band of weary travelers lured by fate or strangers meeting for the first time in the shadow of Castle Ravenloft. * **Build the Vibe:** We are using the **2024 Player's Handbook**. From the new **Species** and **Backgrounds** to the powerful **Weapon Masteries**, all official 2024/2025 content is open! ### 🍷 The Master is Expecting You... The sun is dipping behind the jagged peaks of Mount Baratok, and the lanterns of a black carriage are flickering to life at the crossroads. The wolves are silent, waiting to see which path you take. The Devil Strahd is watching, and the dinner bell is about to ring. **Ready to see if you have what it takes to escape the Mists? Join us, and let’s see who survives the night.**
What to expect
Preparing for the session
1. Create a D&D Beyond account (free) and build your level 1 character using 2024 rules. I'll send you a campaign invite once you're accepted, which will give you access to all the sourcebooks you need. 2. Join our Discord server: This will be sent to you on sign up 3. Discord bots are already set up in the server: Avrae: Used for dice rolls and combat management (connects to your D&D Beyond character) Tupperbox: Allows you to post in-character as your actual character rather than your Discord username I'll provide simple guides on how to use these bots and help you get your characters connected properly. 4. No additional downloads required! I'll handle handouts and visual aids through Foundry VTT, which runs in your browser, so you won't need to install anything else. New to Discord or these tools? That's perfectly fine! I'll walk everyone through how to use the bots step-by-step. Since Discord is where we'll craft our entire gothic horror story together, I'll make sure everyone feels comfortable with the platform and ready to dive into collaborative storytelling. Once you're set up, we'll do introductions and a brief Session 0 to establish how our characters know each other before the mists claim them.
What Gabe brings to the table
Atmospheric Storytelling Excellence - I excel at crafting rich, immersive descriptions that bring Barovia's gothic horror to life through text. Every creaking floorboard, every flickering candle, every whispered rumor will be painted in vivid detail to create that spine-tingling atmosphere Curse of Strahd deserves. Character-Focused Narrative - Your backstories aren't just flavor text - they're plot threads I'll weave throughout our journey. I'll create personal moments, moral dilemmas, and character growth opportunities that make each player feel central to the unfolding tragedy of Barovia. Collaborative Rule Interpretation - I follow Rules as Written as a foundation but embrace the Rule of Cool when it serves our story. In a text-based format, I'm flexible with mechanics that enhance dramatic moments or clever roleplay solutions. Detailed Handouts & Visual Aids - Through Foundry VTT, you'll receive beautifully crafted handouts, letters, maps, and visual references that make Barovia feel tangible. I love creating props that players can reference and discuss. Responsive & Engaging Presence - I'm committed to being actively present from 8 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Friday, ensuring our story maintains momentum. I respond thoughtfully to character actions and encourage the rich conversations that make play-by-post shine. Beginner-Friendly Guidance - Whether you're new to D&D, play-by-post, or just Curse of Strahd, I provide patient guidance and clear explanations. I want everyone to feel confident contributing to our shared narrative. My goal is simple: to create a memorable gothic horror experience where your characters' choices matter and every session leaves you eager to see what dark secrets Barovia reveals next.
Homebrew rules
Champion fighters start citing at 18 instead of 19.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Mobile Phone
Platforms used
Safety
How Gabe creates a safe table
Player safety and comfort are my absolute top priorities. Curse of Strahd is a mature gothic horror campaign that explores dark psychological themes alongside supernatural terror. The content warnings reflect elements that are integral to the module's story and atmosphere. If any of these topics are particularly concerning to you, please reach out to me before joining the campaign. I'm happy to discuss specific triggers, work with you on ways to handle sensitive content, or help you determine if this campaign is the right fit for your comfort level. There's no judgment in deciding this particular horror setting isn't for you. Session 0 Safety Protocols: 1) During our mandatory Session 0, we'll establish comprehensive safety tools and communication protocols: 2) Lines and Veils document: I'll share my detailed Lines and Veils form for everyone to complete, establishing hard boundaries (Lines) and content we'll fade-to-black on (Veils) 3) X-N-O Cards: Since we're text-based, these will be implemented through Discord reactions or direct messages - X (stop immediately), N (no, let's redirect), O (overkill, tone it down) Clear escalation procedures for when someone needs to pause or step away from intense content Ongoing Safety Measures: 1) Regular check-ins to ensure everyone remains comfortable as the story develops 2) Open communication channels for addressing concerns privately 3) Flexible pacing that allows players to process heavy content 4) For players who do join: While we can't remove the inherently dark nature of Barovia, we can ensure everyone feels safe exploring this gothic tale together through clear communication and mutual respect. Remember: Your safety and enjoyment matter more than any story element. We're here to have a memorable gothic horror experience that everyone can engage with comfortably.
Content warnings
Safety tools used