Curse of Strahd: Horror Unleashed (Free Session 0)
Barovia’s mists conceal Strahd’s domain. Curse of Strahd , horror is dialed up tenfold—psychological dread, deadly stakes, and no safe refuge.
$25.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Wednesday - 11:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
Campaign Length / 35–70 Sessions
0 / 6 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
The mists part, and you find yourself trapped in Barovia—a land where the sun never truly shines and hope is a fragile, dying thing. Looming above it all is Castle Ravenloft, home to the ancient vampire lord Strahd von Zarovich, who watches, waits, and toys with those who dare enter his domain. This is gothic horror at its core: bleak villages, cursed bloodlines, and a land that seems to hunger for your despair. This version of *Curse of Strahd* is not a heroic power fantasy. The horror is dialed up tenfold—expect visceral descriptions, psychological pressure, and consequences that linger. Enemies are cruel, the environment is oppressive, and safety is never guaranteed. Survival requires caution, cleverness, and a willingness to face things that would be better left unseen. I run the game with a strong focus on atmosphere, tension, and player immersion. Choices matter, and the world reacts—sometimes brutally—to your actions. Roleplay is encouraged, but so is smart, tactical play; rushing in blindly is often a fast path to tragedy. I aim to make Barovia feel alive, hostile, and deeply unsettling from beginning to end. This table is best suited for players who actively want a true horror experience in D&D—fans of dark fantasy, gore, and psychological dread. If you enjoy being challenged, unsettled, and fully immersed in a grim narrative where victory is never clean or certain, you’ll feel right at home here.
Game style
Dungeon Crawl
Combat Lite
Roleplay Heavy
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Theater of the Mind
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
Less than a year on StartPlaying
About me
I’m a performance-driven Dungeon Master focused on immersive, high-energy storytelling. I don’t rely on scripts—I run live, reactive games where the story unfolds based on player choices in real time. I’ve spent years running long-form campaigns and one-shots, building worlds, characters, and moments that players actually remember. My style blends cinematic tension, dark humor, and strong character interaction, keeping players engaged from start to finish. Outside the table, I’m a comic writer with a focus on pacing, tone, and impactful storytelling. That experience carries directly into my games—every session is built to feel like a story you’re inside of, not just a series of encounters. I also bring real-world experience from traveling to haunted locations across the country, which shapes the atmosphere and realism in my horror-based games. If you like suspense, energy, and a DM who can adapt instantly while keeping the game moving, you’ll fit right in at my table.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Character creation will be done before the first session using Roll20. You’ll start at level 1 and can build your character using the 2024 Player’s Handbook. For stats, you may choose standard array, point buy, or rolling—Roll20 has built-in dice rolling so I can easily track rolls. If you’d rather jump straight into the game or are new to character building, I’ll also have a selection of premade characters ready to go.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Before joining the game, make sure you’re set up and ready for the experience: Create a Roll20 account and join the game link I provide. Your character sheet should be completed there before session one. Join the Discord server, as this is where we’ll handle voice, announcements, and out-of-game communication. A working mic is required. Test your setup ahead of time—audio, internet connection, and Roll20 access—so we can start sessions smoothly. Come prepared for horror. This campaign leans heavily into dark themes, psychological tension, and gore. Make sure you’re comfortable engaging with that tone and ready to fully immerse yourself in a grim, unsettling story.
What Johnny Newman brings to the table
Here’s what you can expect from me as your GM: I focus heavily on atmosphere and immersion. I use ambient music, pacing, and descriptive narration to build tension, and I’ll bring in character voices where it adds to the experience—especially for key NPCs. The goal is to make Barovia feel oppressive, alive, and deeply unsettling. Combat will be dangerous and tactical, not just a formality. Enemies act with intent, and poor decisions can have real consequences. That said, I’m not here to shut down creativity—Rule of Cool absolutely applies when it makes sense and enhances the moment. I also add some flair to the dice: natural 20s and natural 1s carry extra weight in my games, often triggering unique narrative or mechanical effects to make those moments memorable. Overall, expect a game that balances structured rules, cinematic moments, and intense horror, where your choices matter and the world responds accordingly.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Johnny Newman creates a safe table
Player comfort and safety are important, especially with the intensity of this campaign. Before we begin, we’ll cover expectations and boundaries in Session 0, including any personal limits and themes you’d prefer to avoid or fade to black. During play, I use a simple and effective safety system: you can send me an “X” privately on Roll20 (whisper) or message me on Discord at any time if something crosses a line. No explanation is required in the moment—I will immediately adjust or move past the content. We’ll also take a 10-minute break after each hour of play to decompress, reset, and check in if needed. I aim to create a space where players can fully engage with the horror while still feeling respected and in control of their experience.
Content warnings
Safety tools used