Disasters In Barovia | Free Session 0
In a far off land, unknown to most, guarded by mists and creatures of darkness, lies the blighted land of Barovia, ruled by a mysterious dark lord.
$10.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Thursday - 2:00 AM UTC
Session Duration / 2.5–4 hours
0 / 6 Seats Filled
Report Adventure
StartPlaying Money Back Guarantee
If your game doesn't happen, we guarantee a refund. Just reach out to StartPlaying Support. Refund Policy
About the adventure
A thick mist rolls across the road, swallowing the world you knew and leaving only the cold silence of Barovia. The land is trapped under dark clouds and the shadow of Castle Ravenloft, where the vampire lord Strahd von Zarovich rules without mercy. Villages huddle in fear, ancient forests whisper with unseen dangers, and hope is a rare and fragile thing. You are not heroes yet, just souls drawn into a cursed valley that does not let go. This is a gothic horror campaign focused on atmosphere, difficult choices, and survival in a land that feels alive and hostile. You will face deadly creatures, tragic NPCs, and mysteries tied to Barovia’s long and bloody history. Trust is hard to earn, and not every problem can be solved with steel and spells alone. Expect a story driven game with exploration, roleplay, and tense combat. Themes include horror, corruption, and moral gray areas, but also the chance to bring light into deep darkness. Your characters will be tested, changed, and marked by the land itself as you decide whether to challenge the devil Strahd or simply try to escape his grasp.
Game style
Combat Heavy
Hexcrawl / Exploration
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Rule of Cool
Average response time: 2 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
Hey y’all! I’ve been playing Dungeons & Dragons for about 13 years now, and I’ve been DM’ing for around ten of those. Running games is one of my favorite things, whether it’s diving into roleplay, building epic battles, or just sharing laughs around the table. I like to keep things fun and collaborative, making sure everyone has a chance to shine and tell their character’s story. Outside of D&D, I’m into other worlds and systems too, like Warhammer, Star Wars 5e, and Star Trek. I love drawing inspiration from those franchises to keep my games fresh and exciting. Whether you’re brand new to tabletop RPGs or a seasoned adventurer, I’m here to help you have a great time rolling dice and making memories.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Character creation will be held during Session 0, on a Discord call with myself and your fellow players. We will be starting at level 3, rolling for stats, and talking about the overarching game. I allow most material listed on the 5e Tools website, and we will be using 2014 rules. All other questions and matters relating to character creation will be handled in the Discord server! :)
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Everything you need is either free or provided to you by me: - A Discord Account - A Roll20 Account
What Jonathan brings to the table
- Owned content on Roll20 - Maps, Token Markers, and Spell Templates - Various poorly executed character voices - Dynamic Lighting for a more immersive experience - Challenging puzzles and combats that have meaning other than for the sake of it - Immersive story telling that ties in your backstories, granting each player their time to shine
Homebrew rules
Please see this Google Doc (also handed out in the server) for some homebrew rules, some things I borrow from 2024 rules, and more! I do not always cover everything that comes up, so you are more than welcome to ask me! I would rather you bring it up and we find a way to make something cool happen than to stick with RAW all the time. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kW6q4MDC8ioMlbpDGv3euXpGy_C3rplq5IxXbewUiMM/edit?usp=sharing
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Jonathan creates a safe table
- Session 0 - Consent Checklist - Content Warnings - Safety Deck during the game (explained in Session 0) - Open Communication - Feedback Forms after sessions (not always, but intermittently)
Content warnings
Safety tools used