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Learn to Play 5.5e versus Strahd von Zarovich!
Horror is born out of fear of the unknown.
$15.00
/ Session
Details
2 players following this game
Bi-weekly / Sunday - 10:00 PM UTC
Oct 18 / Session 9
Session Duration / 3 hours
5 / 7 Seats Filled
Top Game Master
One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.
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Schedule
Meet your party members
5/7
About the adventure
Bad at math? Nervous about roleplay? Not even sure what a TTRPG is? No problem! The current edition of Dungeons & Dragons is easier to learn than ever, DnDBeyond does all the math, and I'm a patient teacher. Ravenloft is a horror setting, but I keep everything lighthearted. "Under raging storm clouds, a lone figure stands silhouetted against the ancient walls of Castle Ravenloft. The vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich stares down a sheer cliff at the village below. A cold, bitter wind spins dead leaves about him, billowing his cape in the darkness. Lightning splits the clouds overhead, casting stark white light across him. Strahd turns to the sky, revealing the angular muscles of his face and hands. He has a look of power—and of madness. His once handsome face is contorted by a tragedy darker than the night itself. Rumbling thunder pounds the castle spires. The wind’s howling increases as Strahd turns his gaze back to the village. Far below, yet not beyond his ken, a party of adventurers has just entered his domain. Strahd’s face forms a twisted smile as his dark plan unfolds. He knew they were coming, and he knows why they have come—all according to his plan. He, the master of Ravenloft, will attend to them. Another lightning flash rips through the darkness, its thunder echoing through the castle’s towers. But Strahd is gone. Only the howling of the wind—or perhaps a lone wolf—fills the midnight air. The master of Ravenloft is having guests for dinner. And you are invited."
Game style
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(22)
1 year on StartPlaying
92 games hosted
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Beginner Friendly, Creativity
Average response time: 7 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
I love GMing because I love watching my players' faces light up when they realize they get to do a cool thing. Sometimes it's "wait, I can be a goblin?!" or "I can fly!" Other times it's the realization that a fireball is a whole handful of dice, or watching a roll come up Natural 20. Even a Natural 1 is disappointing fun for all at my table. I spent 20 years as a historical swordfighter and medieval recreationist, basically playing real life D&D without magic. It's more fun with magic and monsters! As a member of the LGBTQ+, anti-fascist, anti-racist community, I try to keep my games as inclusive as possible while excluding bigots. BOOKING REQUESTS: I'm available most days to play on your schedule! My homebrew: Whistlecoil & Silvertong's Mechanical Adventure Simulator (a one-shot carnival that can be canon in your campaign) Whistlecoil & Silvertong's as a campaign PvP Fight Night (I referee your grudge match or organize a tournament) Gladiator Arena (see how big a monster you can kill. Your choice of level) Official Modules: Lost Mine of Phandelver Phandelver & Below: Broken Obelisk Curse of Strahd Rime of the Frostmaiden If there's a different game you'd like me to run, let me know.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
We'll start with Level 1 characters, using DnDBeyond for character sheets. All official content is fair game, but please give me a heads up if you're planning something really unusual. Feel free to generate your character at Session Zero or beforehand.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
You'll need a mic and a Discord account, camera is optional. Use your real dice or my digital ones. Optional: sign in at Owlbear.Rodeo to unlock extra tools.
What Renzo brings to the table
My gaming style is lighthearted and low-stakes. The module might bring some difficult subjects, but I always keep it fun and leave the pressure at the door. Players have full agency over their characters and can do anything that the Fates and the Rule of Cool allow. I use voices, custom maps, and music to help set my stage in the theater of your mind.
Homebrew rules
A Nat 20 Initiative roll means you choose when you act, not necessarily first. Health potions can be drunk as a bonus action to roll the healing value, or a full action to heal the maximum value. This represents a bonus action being hasty and spilling half the potion on yourself.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Renzo creates a safe table
We take bio/stress breaks as needed, especially at scene changes. Every session starts and ends with time for questions and concerns. We use X, N, and O cards as part of our Virtual Table Top, Owlbear Rodeo. They're part of the Rumble! extension. I keep a Lines, Veils, Stars, and Wishes document for each campaign that players can edit anonymously. My games NEVER include: Sexual assault Detailed, explicit torture or sex Player-on-player bigotry, bullying, or harassment
Content warnings
Safety tools used