Curse of Strahd: Shadows of Castle Ravenloft

Creating your character

We’ll begin with a free Session Zero where we’ll collaborate on character concepts, establish party connections, and go over campaign expectations, tone, and table rules. This is a great opportunity to tie your character directly into the story and ensure everyone is on the same page before we begin. Characters will be created using the 2024 (5.5E) D&D ruleset, and I’m generally open to all official content from published sources. I also have a few optional house rules that we can review together as a group and decide whether to include. The game will primarily be run through Roll20 and Discord, utilizing dynamic maps, lighting, and visual effects for immersion. If you prefer using D&D Beyond, you’re welcome to do so with browser extensions to integrate your character sheet into Roll20. Characters will start at level 1 or level 3, depending on group preference.

Preparing for the session

Preparation Once accepted into the game, you’ll receive invitations to both Discord and Roll20, which we’ll use for voice, communication, and gameplay. Before Session Zero, please: Join the Discord server and take a few minutes to review the available channels, including game info and player introductions Ensure you have a working microphone and a stable internet connection Create a free Roll20 account (if you don’t already have one) (Optional) Set up a D&D Beyond account if you prefer to manage your character there The Discord server will also serve as our hub between sessions—for announcements, recaps, and getting to know your fellow players. To preserve the mystery and horror of the campaign, I strongly recommend avoiding spoilers or researching the module. Curse of Strahd is at its best when the world is unknown and your choices are genuine. I run the game dynamically, so player decisions shape the story in meaningful ways—come in ready to explore, react, and discover.

What Leoben brings to the table

What I Provide I run highly immersive, cinematic games that blend rich storytelling with engaging, tactical gameplay. My goal is to make every session feel like a living, breathing chapter in your character’s story. Here’s what you can expect at my table: Full Virtual Tabletop Experience (Roll20): Dynamic lighting, detailed maps, and visual effects that bring Barovia to life Ambient Music & Sound Design: Carefully curated music and audio to enhance tension, horror, and key moments Voiced NPCs & Deep Roleplay: Memorable characters with distinct personalities, voices, and motivations Tactical & Meaningful Combat: Challenging encounters that reward teamwork, creativity, and smart decision-making Expanded & Personalized Storylines: Your character’s backstory will matter and be woven into the narrative Access to Game Resources: Shared materials and support to help you build and play your character with ease My GM style strikes a balance between Rules as Written and Rule of Cool—I value structure and fairness, but always leave room for creative, cinematic moments when it makes the game more fun and memorable. Above all, I aim to create a collaborative, welcoming table where players feel engaged, challenged, and excited to see what happens next.

Homebrew rules

During the session zero I allow the party to decide which homebrew rules they would like to incorporate.

How Leoben creates a safe table

Upon request I do have digital X, N, & O cards that can be used during the game. Additionally, we will cover a wide range of topics during the session zero where players can provide their levels of comfort. Also, during each game players can always send me a direct messages in a whisper if there is something that is making them uncomfortable.