Curse of Strahd: Gothic Horror & 3D Maps | Newbie Friendly

Creating your character

📘 Edition & Ruleset D&D 2024 rules. If a rule, class, spell, feat, or species has both a 2014 and a 2024 version, we will always use the 2024 version. You may use material from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything and Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything only if it has not been updated or reprinted in 2024. 📊 Stats and Equipment Ability Scores - Point Buy only No rolling for stats Max HP at 1st level, average after that (fixed) Starting at Lvl 1 Starting equipment or gold (also: guns exist: -pistol, musket, parlor gun only) ⚠️ Final Notes Flavor is welcome, but mechanics must follow these rules. If something feels like it stretches the setting or tone, it will likely be adjusted or vetoed.

Preparing for the session

To keep everything organized, all players will need a Discord account and join my server. It’ll be our main hub for chatting, sharing files, and running Session 0. discord.com/register We’ll also be using FoundryVTT to play the game.

What Gabriel Olive brings to the table

Fully 3D Animated Maps 🏰 – Expect flickering torchlight, driving rain, and shifting fog. Foundry VTT VFX 💥 – Spells have custom animations and sword swings have visual impact. The Sound of Barovia 🎵 – A curated, custom soundtrack and layered sound effects (from eerie whispers to clashing steel). Tactical but Narrative Combat ⚔️ – Battles are challenging and require strategy, but have a narrative purpose first. The Moral Sandbox 🎭 – I play "The Land" as a corruptor. I provide meaningful choices where your character’s soul is at stake, rewarding creativity and moral resilience. Safe & Inclusive🛡️ – I utilize the X/N/O and Deck of Player Safety systems to ensure that while the horror is intense, the players are always safe and respected.

Homebrew rules

I like to stick to RAW for the most part, but I’m totally open to the “rule of cool” when it makes the story more exciting. If you want to try something that’s outside the usual rules, you can spend a use of Inspiration to pull it off. As long as it’s cinematic, fair, and fits the moment, I’m all for letting cool ideas shine!

How Gabriel Olive creates a safe table

Challenging storytelling shouldn't mean uncomfortable players. In a world of gothic horror and moral corruption, your real-world safety is my priority. 🕯️Phase 1: Pre-Game Safety (Session 0) Before the any die is rolled, we hold a Session 0 to align our expectations and set firm boundaries. Demiplane Deck of Player Safety: We utilize the professional DOPS tool to privately survey comfort across various themes. Discord Integration: All established boundaries will be documented in a private Discord channel for easy reference throughout the campaign. ⚔️ Phase 2: Real-Time Safety (In-Game) We utilize the Foundry VTT "Table Safety" Module to handle real-time comfort management. Digital X, N, & O Cards: These tools are built directly into our virtual tabletop. Absolute Anonymity: You can tap a card at any time to signal that we need to pause, slow down, or skip a scene. The signal is anonymous, ensuring you can protect your boundaries without feeling put on the spot. 🏳️‍🌈 An Inclusive Table This is a strictly inclusive and LGBTQ+ friendly space. We respect all identities and ensure that our Barovia is a place where the only thing to fear is the monsters in the mists, never your fellow players or your GM.