Curse of Strahd
The road ahead is shrouded in mist, and those who wander too far are rarely seen again. What awaits beyond is a land steeped in ancient secrets.
$18.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Monday - 8:00 AM UTC
Session Duration / 4–5 hours
0 / 6 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
Whether you're brand new to D&D or a seasoned adventurer, you'll find a welcoming table where roleplay, exploration, tactical combat, and meaningful choices take centre stage. New players will be guided through the rules at a relaxed pace, while veterans can enjoy challenging encounters, rewarding strategy, and plenty of opportunities for creative problem-solving. My goal is to create an immersive, collaborative story where every character has their chance to shine. Session zero will be free and discuss game expectations and boundaries, as well as answer any questions on character creation and backstories.
Game style
Roleplay Heavy
Combat Heavy
Dungeon Crawl
Rules as Written (RaW)
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(6)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Storytelling, Creativity
About me
Hi, I'm Doug, a board game designer and lifelong gaming enthusiast with over 10 years of experience both behind the DM screen and as a player in Dungeons & Dragons. Games have always been more than just a hobby for me—they're a way to bring people together, create unforgettable stories, and share memorable experiences with friends old and new. As both a designer and Dungeon Master, I'm fascinated by the intersection of creativity, strategy, and player choice. I have a particular love for tactical RPGs, where clever planning and teamwork can turn impossible situations into legendary victories. Equally, I enjoy designing creative puzzles, mysteries, and challenges that encourage players to think outside the box and engage with the world in unexpected ways. One of my favourite aspects of running games is creating NPCs that feel alive. There's something magical about introducing a character as a simple shopkeeper, rival, or travelling companion, only to watch them develop through interactions with the players into someone completely unique. Some become trusted allies, some become beloved mascots, and some become recurring headaches that nobody can quite get rid of—and I love every minute of it. At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to creating a fun, inclusive, and collaborative experience. Whether I'm running a tense tactical encounter, roleplaying an eccentric goblin merchant, or adapting to a player's completely unexpected plan, my goal is always the same: to ensu
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Character creation will take place during Session Zero, giving everyone the opportunity to build their characters together, establish party connections, and discuss expectations for the campaign. We'll be using the 2014 D&D rules, with the possibility of using 2024 after some discussion. All characters starting at Level 1. Ability scores can be generated using either Standard Array or Point Buy. New players are more than welcome—I'll guide you through the entire process and help you create a character you'll enjoy playing. The goal is to create a party with strong motivations, interesting personalities, and a reason to face the journey ahead together.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Players will need to create a free D&D beyond profile, ready for session zero, I can link any class or race needed for the campaign. There will be a discord server set up before session zero.
What Douglas Barker brings to the table
As your Dungeon Master, my goal is to create an immersive, collaborative story where every player feels like an important part of the adventure. I enjoy bringing the world to life through distinct NPC personalities, character voices, ambient music, and vivid descriptions that make every location feel memorable. I believe the best moments in D&D come from player creativity. If you come up with a clever or cinematic solution, I'll do my best to make it work. While I use the 2014 rules as the foundation, I favour common sense and the Rule of Cool when it creates exciting, memorable moments without overshadowing the game. Combat is tactical and engaging, rewarding teamwork, smart positioning, and creative thinking over simply dealing the most damage. Outside of combat, expect mysteries to unravel, puzzles to solve, meaningful choices, and NPCs who react naturally to your actions. Above all, I want everyone at the table to have fun. Whether you're here for roleplay, exploration, combat, or simply rolling dice with a great group of people, I'll make sure every character has opportunities to shine and contribute to the story.
Homebrew rules
I allow drinking health potions as a bonus action. Also, death saves do become more difficult, the more a character hits zero hit points. This resets after a long rest.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Douglas Barker creates a safe table
During session zero, we will discuss any hard and soft limits (lines and Veils) as well as discuss methods for players to highlight any problematic content that came up during the session.
Content warnings
Safety tools used