Crimson Echoes – A Curse of Strahd Campaign (All-Femme Table)

Creating your character

Character creation will happen before the first session, so we can dive straight into the story once the mists roll in. We’ll start with a Session Zero to talk through tone, boundaries, expectations, and character concepts. After that, we’ll finish up details together—either in chat or a quick one-on-one—so everyone feels settled and supported going into Session One. Characters will begin at Level 1 and progress through the campaign to approximately Level 10. Ability scores are determined using Point Buy or Standard Array (your choice), and hit points are maximum at each level to help characters survive a dangerous, horror-forward setting. All official D&D 5e books are allowed. Unearthed Arcana and homebrew are welcome on a case-by-case basis—just check with me first so we can make sure everything fits the tone and plays well at the table. For Crimson Echoes, every character is living a new life—with their own race, class, background, and personal history. You do not need to know who your character once was. In fact, your character won’t. Players will know there is a deeper truth beneath the surface, but discovery happens slowly through play. You’re welcome to bring a strong concept, a few emotional hooks, and a sense of who your character is now—the rest will unfold naturally. Character sheets will be created and managed through a shared D&D Beyond campaign link, which I’ll provide once the group is formed.

Preparing for the session

Before our first session, there are just a few simple steps to help everything run smoothly once the mists roll in. After joining the game, you’ll receive links to the following: • Discord – This will be our main hub for voice chat during sessions, announcements, scheduling, and any between-session communication. • D&D Beyond – You’ll use the campaign link to create and manage your character sheet. • Owlbear Rodeo – For maps, positioning, and visual aids. No account or downloads are required—just open the link when we begin. That’s all you need to prepare. No paid software, complicated setups, or extra downloads required. I’ll make sure everyone is comfortable with the tools before Session One, and I’m always happy to help if you have questions or run into any tech issues. Once everything is set, all that’s left to do is listen to your dreams… and answer the call when Barovia comes for you.

What Skyybunny brings to the table

I focus on creating an immersive, emotionally grounded experience where atmosphere and character come first. You can expect stunning maps, evocative handouts, and carefully chosen ambient music to bring Barovia to life. Sound and visuals are a big part of how I build tension—quiet dread, unsettling calm, and moments where everything feels like it’s holding its breath. I’m a Rule of Cool DM at heart. Creative ideas, cinematic moments, and character-driven choices are always encouraged, and I’m happy to bend rules when it serves the story. That said, Barovia is dangerous by design. Actions have consequences, and choices—especially emotional ones—matter. Combat in Crimson Echoes is intense and meaningful. Curse of Strahd has a reputation for being deadly, and I lean into that without being unfair. Fights are designed to feel high-stakes and cinematic rather than constant or grindy. Survival is never guaranteed, and sometimes retreat or clever thinking is the bravest option. Above all, I strive to run a table that feels safe, collaborative, and intentional. I value player agency, emotional roleplay, and mutual respect. My goal is for every player to feel seen, supported, and fully invested in the story we’re telling together—one that lingers long after the session ends.

Homebrew rules

Homebrew Rules: These homebrew rules apply to all of my campaigns and are designed to keep the game cinematic, tense, and fun without bogging things down. Potions: -Drinking a potion yourself is a bonus action -Feeding a potion to someone else is a full action -If you take a full action to drink a potion, you regain maximum healing Critical Hits: -On a critical hit, damage is maximum dice + rolled dice -Crits are meant to feel impactful and dangerous—on both sides Death Saves: -Death saving throws are rolled privately between the player and the DM -This keeps tension high and prevents accidental metagaming The One-Time Level-Up: -Each player gets one (SINGLE. UNO. ONE.) level-up they can apply at any time, for any reason -You choose when to use it -Once it’s used, it’s gone forever -Use it wisely Inspiration: -Whoever can give a recap of the previous session earns Inspiration -This can rotate—no pressure if you’re not the recap person! Initiative Twist: -Rolling a natural 20 on initiative lets you choose turn order positioning for yourself among the party Carry Weight: -I don’t track carry weight unless things get silly -Be reasonable (no, you cannot fit four swords in your pocket) Spell Components & Ammunition: -I don’t track spell components or ammunition (unless it is a specific type) Desperate Casting: -You may cast a spell using a spell slot you have access to but have already expended -Doing so deals 1d12 necrotic damage per spell level (this damage cannot be reduced) -You also gain levels of exhaustion equal to the spell’s level, up to 6th-level spells -This is dangerous, dramatic, and very much a last resort

How Skyybunny creates a safe table

Your comfort and safety at the table are extremely important to me, especially in a campaign that explores darker themes like Curse of Strahd. I make sure every player knows what they’re agreeing to—and that they always have a way to pause or step back if something isn’t sitting right. Before the campaign begins, I send each player a private consent sheet where you can clearly mark your hard lines, soft limits, and preferences. This information is kept confidential and is used to shape the game so that horror stays fun and consensual, not uncomfortable. We also run a Session Zero where we talk through tone, themes, expectations, and boundaries as a group. This is a space to ask questions, flag concerns, and make sure everyone is on the same page before we ever roll dice. During play, we use a simple color system: Yellow (sent privately via message) means “we’re getting close to a limit—please move away from this topic soon.” Red (sent privately via message) means “stop immediately—we need to pause and address this now.” No explanations are required in the moment. We’ll shift or stop as needed, and check in afterward. Outside of sessions, I have an open-door policy. If something comes up, before or after a game, you’re always welcome to reach out to me privately. Aftercare and check-ins are part of how I run games—I want everyone to leave the table feeling safe, respected, and heard. Dark stories work best when everyone feels secure. That’s the kind of table I aim to create.