Image by GM Jeff with AI-assisted artwork
Curse Of Strahd Reloaded
The Mists have chosen you. Beyond them lies Barovia, where wolves howl through the night, and an ancient evil watches from Castle Ravenloft.
$10.00
/ Session
Details
Bi-weekly / Thursday - 7:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 2–4 hours
Campaign Length / 30–50 Sessions
0 / 5 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
The Mists arrive without warning. One moment, the road stretches clearly before you, and the next, the world disappears beneath cold white fog. When it finally clears, you find yourselves trapped within Barovia — a land where hope fades beneath endless clouds, and every road seems to lead deeper into darkness. This is Curse of Strahd Reloaded, a reimagined and expanded version of the classic campaign that places a stronger focus on story, character development, mystery, and immersive world-building. Barovia is more than a setting; it is a living world filled with desperate souls, hidden histories, fractured families, ancient curses, and people struggling to survive beneath the shadow of Count Strahd von Zarovich. Every village has its own secrets. Every ally has their own motivations. Every choice has consequences. My table focuses heavily on atmosphere and player-driven storytelling. Expect meaningful roleplay, difficult decisions, exploration, mystery, and moments where actions can permanently shape the world around you. Combat is dangerous and important, but not every problem can be solved through violence alone. Your choices, relationships, and character goals will matter throughout the campaign. This campaign leans into gothic horror and dark fantasy themes: fear of the unknown, moral choices, tragedy, corruption, hope against despair, and the struggle to hold onto humanity when surrounded by darkness. While the setting can be bleak, there will still be moments of humor, triumph, friendship, and those unforgettable moments that naturally happen around a D&D table. Whether you're entering Barovia for the first time or returning to challenge Strahd once more, the Mists are waiting — and Barovia always remembers those who enter its borders.
Game style
Hexcrawl / Exploration
Puzzle / Mystery Focused
Roleplay Heavy
Sandbox / Open World
Dungeon Crawl
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(5)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Inclusive, World Builder
About me
I've been playing Dungeons & Dragons and serving as a Dungeon Master on and off since high school, around 15 years now. Over the years, I've experienced all kinds of games, from chaotic one-shots and classic dungeon crawls to long-running campaigns full of mystery, character development, and unforgettable moments. Through all of it, my favorite part has always been bringing players together and creating experiences that become stories people still talk about long after the campaign ends. I still remember my very first time playing D&D. I created an elf character and had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Like many new adventurers, I was completely confident in every terrible decision I made. I decided to run into a cave by myself without the rest of the party because I thought I was about to become the hero of the story. Instead, I quickly discovered a very important D&D lesson: heroes don't usually survive when they run headfirst into a pack of wolves alone. Needless to say, that character didn't make it very far — but the memory stuck with me, and it's one of the reasons I fell in love with the game. D&D creates those moments that are unexpected, hilarious, and memorable. As a DM, what I enjoy most is creating stories and building worlds that feel alive. I love creating locations that have history, NPCs that feel like real people, mysteries hidden beneath the surface, and choices that matter. I want players to feel like their actions shape the world around them rather than simply moving from one encounter to the next. Whether your party decides to save a town, investigate strange happenings in the shadows, or accidentally burn down the tavern after a terrible plan goes wrong, I enjoy adapting and letting the story evolve naturally around the players. My games often lean toward darker themes and atmospheric storytelling. Sometimes you'll find yourself exploring haunted ruins or uncovering secrets better left buried. Other times you may encounter mysterious figures, difficult choices, moments of humor, or unexpected twists waiting around the corner. I enjoy balancing tension, exploration, roleplay, and combat to create experiences that feel immersive and memorable. Above all else, I want everyone at the table to have fun. Whether you're a veteran player with years of experience or someone rolling dice for the very first time, everyone is welcome. My goal is to create a space where players can get invested in their characters, enjoy the world around them, and create stories together. I look forward to seeing you at the table and sharing the next adventure with you.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Characters will be created before the campaign begins using D&D Beyond, though I’m always happy to help new players through the process. New and experienced players are welcome, and I can assist with character ideas, class choices, backstories, and making sure your character fits naturally into the world and story. Characters will begin at Level 1. Ability scores can be created using either Point Buy or rolled stats. Players who choose to roll for stats will do so using the Discord dice bot before the campaign begins, so everything stays visible and fair for everyone at the table. This gives players flexibility while maintaining transparency during character creation. Official D&D 5e content is allowed unless discussed otherwise beforehand. Homebrew and third-party material may be considered on a case-by-case basis, but I prefer reviewing it first to make sure it fits the setting and overall balance of the campaign. Because this is Curse of Strahd Reloaded, I encourage characters with goals, flaws, fears, and personal motivations rather than characters built solely around combat optimization. This campaign focuses heavily on roleplay, mystery, atmosphere, and character growth, so characters with depth tend to create stronger and more memorable experiences. Your backstory does not need to be several pages long. A few meaningful details can go a long way. Questions like What drives your character? What are they searching for? What are they afraid of? can often create stronger stories than pages of history. I also enjoy weaving player backstories into the campaign whenever possible, creating personal moments and connections that make Barovia feel more alive, and your journey through it feel unique.
This is a gothic horror campaign focused on roleplay, investigation, exploration, and meaningful choices. New and experienced players are welcome. Please bring a character willing to work with the group and engage with the world. Team-focused characters fit best; disruptive characters, PvP-focused play, and lone wolves are discouraged. Sessions run approximately 3 hours each. Expect difficult choices, dangerous encounters, and situations where retreat, planning, or diplomacy may be smarter than direct combat.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Required Setup: • Join the campaign Discord server for communication, announcements, session scheduling, and voice chat. Discord will also be used for rolled stats if you choose that option during character creation. • Create a D&D Beyond account for character creation and character management. Characters will be created and maintained there throughout the campaign. • Create a Forge VTT account using Forge VTT. We will be using Foundry VTT hosted through Forge, so no downloads or purchases are required from players. Once your account is created, I will provide access information before the campaign starts. • A working microphone is required so everyone can communicate clearly during sessions. A webcam is completely optional. • I recommend joining a few minutes early for your first session to make sure everything is working properly and to troubleshoot any setup issues. New players are absolutely welcome. If you've never used D&D Beyond, Discord, Foundry, or Forge before, I’m happy to help get everything set up before we begin.
What Jeff brings to the table
Players can expect detailed maps through Foundry VTT, including animated battle maps, immersive environments, and animated tokens to help bring the world to life. I enjoy creating a visual experience that makes players feel like they are actually stepping into the world rather than looking at a static battlefield. From flickering candles and moving fog to rainstorms, eerie forests, and atmospheric locations, I want the world to feel alive around your characters. I also use ambient music, sound effects, and visual aids to help build tension and atmosphere throughout the campaign. Since I lean heavily into darker settings and immersive storytelling, these elements help reinforce the mood and make important moments feel more impactful.
Homebrew rules
House Rules Exhaustion on Revival Exhaustion only occurs if your character dies and is brought back to life. The exhaustion level is applied after combat ends rather than immediately during the fight. Adjusting Initiative Players may choose to lower their initiative order during combat if they want to coordinate actions or strategies with another player. Stealth Rules Stealth checks are rolled only when there is a realistic chance of being detected. You won't need to constantly roll Stealth while moving through areas where enemies have no chance of spotting you. Potion Rules Potions, including healing potions, can be used as a Bonus Action. Bonus Action: Roll normally for healing or effects. Full Action: Gain the maximum possible healing or effect automatically. Martial Scroll Use Martial-focused classes such as Fighters, Paladins, Rogues, Barbarians, Monks, and Rangers can use spell scrolls. Critical Hits Critical hits deal maximum weapon damage plus the additional critical damage roll. Example: A weapon dealing 1d8 + 3 damage would deal 11 + 1d8 on a critical hit. Monsters also benefit from this rule. Resting Rules Long rests fully restore the party only when taken in a safe location, such as: Taverns Secure camps Protected hideouts Other safe resting areas Sleeping in dangerous locations such as forests, swamps, tunnels, roadside camps, or hostile territory may instead provide only a short rest or partial recovery. Lingering Injuries Lingering injuries are used only during major moments and are not intended to punish players in normal combat. They may occur if: You are reduced to 0 HP by a critical hit You fail multiple death saves You survive an especially brutal attack, trap, or monster ability Examples include: Cracked ribs Limping injuries Scarred eyes Broken fingers Ringing ears Most lingering injuries create small temporary penalties and can usually be treated through rest, healing magic, downtime, or other story-related recovery methods.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Jeff creates a safe table
Player comfort and enjoyment are important to me, and I want everyone at the table to feel welcome and respected. Before the campaign begins, we will go over expectations during Session 0, including character creation, campaign tone, themes, and any concerns players may have. I run an open-door policy, which means players are always free to step away from the table, mute themselves, take a break, or privately message me if they become uncomfortable for any reason. No explanations are required. Real life and player comfort will always come first. Because Curse of Strahd Reloaded includes darker themes and horror elements, we will discuss boundaries early and establish any Lines and Veils before the campaign begins. My goal is to create tension and atmosphere within the story while making sure everyone at the table feels safe and comfortable. I encourage open communication throughout the campaign. If something isn't working, if a player has concerns, or if adjustments need to be made, I want players to feel comfortable bringing it up. The goal is to create a fun and memorable experience for everyone at the table. At the end of the day, we're all here to tell a great story together and make sure everyone enjoys the journey.
Content warnings
Safety tools used