Curse of Strahd: Fleshed Out

Creating your character

Character creation for Curse of Strahd will take place before the first official session, so we can jump straight into the story once play begins. We’ll use Roll20 for character sheets and maps, and Discord for voice and roleplay chat during sessions. You’ll be starting at Level 1, with a clear path to Levels 2 and 3 coming quickly in the early game. This gives everyone a chance to grow naturally into their characters—testing abilities, building bonds, and earning that first big power-up through play. You can use any official 5e material printed before the 2024 revision when building your character. Homebrew and UA options aren’t off the table, but please check in with me before using them so we can make sure everything fits thematically and mechanically. As part of character creation, you’ll also develop a sense of what a typical day in your character’s life looks like and what “home” means to them—their work, family, friends, and routines in the city of Daggerfell, a cold, mist-touched settlement on the edge of civilization. Your character is one of its citizens, and the campaign will begin as you and several others are summoned to a meeting at the Duchess’s manor, where strange tidings and unsettling rumors are already brewing. By the end of character creation, we’ll know who your hero is, what drives them, and what part of their past they can’t quite leave behind—perfect for a journey into the mists of Barovia.

Preparing for the session

We’ll be playing on Roll20 and using Discord for voice chat, table talk, and out-of-session coordination. You can record and manage your character sheet wherever you prefer—on Roll20, D&D Beyond, paper, or any other tool that works best for you.

What Nick brings to the table

My GM style leans heavily into storytelling, character immersion, and collaborative roleplay. This campaign is about stepping into your character’s skin—feeling their fears, hopes, and motivations as they navigate the cursed land of Barovia. You’ll be encouraged to speak in character, build relationships, and let your backstory shape your choices. I want to see your characters grow through conversation, conflict, and the connections they forge, not just through battle. I love bringing NPCs to life with distinct voices, personalities, and motives, helping you feel like you’re talking to real people with their own secrets and agendas. Dialogue, moral decisions, and emotional moments will carry as much weight as combat. Your words can change the world around you just as much as your sword or spell. When it comes to the rules, I aim for a balance between Rules as Written and the Rule of Cool. The rules give us structure and fairness, but if you describe something creative, clever, or character-driven, I’ll always try to make it work. The goal is to keep the story moving and make sure your ideas shine. Combat will vary from fast, gritty skirmishes to tense, strategic showdowns. I encourage teamwork, creativity, and cinematic play—you don’t need to know every mechanic to be effective. Thinking outside the box and working together often matters more than raw damage. Above all, I run a collaborative, roleplay-first table where player comfort and story come first. We’ll use safety tools like X, N, and O cards (or their digital versions) to keep the table respectful and fun. This campaign rewards roleplay, emotional depth, and creative choices—so speak up, take risks, and make your character’s voice part of the legend that unfolds in the mists of Barovia.

Homebrew rules

My only homebrew rule for this campaign involves how potions work in combat: Drinking a potion as an Action restores the full listed healing amount—no dice rolling required. Drinking a potion as a Bonus Action lets you act faster but requires you to roll for the healing amount, taking the usual risk of getting less. Feeding a potion to an ally always takes a full Action. This rule is meant to make healing choices more tactical and cinematic—players can decide between taking their time for guaranteed results or acting quickly when the fight gets desperate.

How Nick creates a safe table

Player safety and comfort are top priorities at my table. Curse of Strahd is a dark, gothic horror story meant to be spooky, tense, and dramatic—but never traumatic. During Session 0, we’ll take time to discuss everyone’s hard no’s, phobias, fears, and potential triggers. The goal is to create a shared understanding of what kinds of horror are fun to explore and what kinds are off-limits. This ensures that every player can engage with the story confidently and safely. I’ll also provide a Lines and Veils document—a simple tool that helps clarify boundaries before we start. Players can fill it out privately if they wish, and I’ll respect all responses. While Curse of Strahd contains mature themes like death, manipulation, and moral corruption, it’s important that these elements never cross into discomfort or distress for any player. We’ll be using X, N, and O cards (digitally through Discord) as in-game safety tools. An X stops the scene immediately—no questions asked. We’ll rewind and rewrite events as if the moment never occurred. An N signals that we’re approaching discomfort, and I’ll steer the narrative away from that line. An O lets everyone know you’re okay and comfortable continuing, even in tense or emotional scenes. After every session, I like to do a brief aftercare check-in, either through Discord messages or a quick chat, to make sure everyone’s feeling good about how the session went. This gives space to decompress, celebrate great moments, and bring up any concerns privately if needed. This campaign is meant to explore the shadows of gothic horror together—but always in a way that leaves everyone feeling safe, respected, and eager for the next session.