Curse of Strahd - Barovia will watch your actions closely

Image by Wizards of the Coast

Curse of Strahd - Barovia will watch your actions closely

Every choice shapes Barovia, and Strahd is always watching. A living world of lasting consequences, unforgettable NPCs and gothic horror.

TYPE

Campaign

LEVELS

1

LANGUAGE

English

EXPERIENCE

Open to all

AGE

18+
3 NEEDED TO START
$20.00

/ Session

Details

Bi-weekly / Thursday - 5:00 PM UTC

Session Duration / 3–6 hours

0 / 5 Seats Filled

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This game will begin once 3 players have joined
About the adventure

Curse of Strahd is one of D&D's most beloved campaigns for a reason. Barovia is oppressive, mysterious and filled with memorable characters, difficult choices and one of the greatest villains in fantasy roleplaying. You'll explore haunted villages, ancient ruins and Castle Ravenloft itself as you unravel the secrets of the land and search for a way to break Strahd's curse. This campaign will be run using the official D&D 5e rules, staying true to everything that has made it a classic. What sets my games apart is the world around you. I love running NPCs that feel like real people rather than quest givers, with their own goals, relationships and opinions of the party. I don't believe in throwing away interesting NPCs, if you invest in the people of Barovia, they'll remain part of your story. Your actions have lasting consequences, whether that's earning the trust of a frightened village, making an enemy of a powerful noble, or changing the fate of someone you thought was only a minor character. The story doesn't simply wait for the players to arrive... it moves with you, reacts to you, and remembers what you've done. Whether you enjoy roleplay, exploration or tactical combat, I aim to create a campaign where every victory feels earned and every decision matters. Horror works best when you care about the people you're trying to protect, and Barovia is full of people worth caring about. If you're looking for an immersive campaign with recurring characters, meaningful choices and a world that feels alive, I'd love to welcome you to the table.

Game style

Roleplay Heavy

Meet the Game Master
LGBTQ+
Neurodivergent
Cosplayer

Less than a year on StartPlaying

1 game hosted

Highly rated for: World Builder, Voices, Inclusive

About me

I've been playing DnD for over a decade both as a player and a GM in classic DnD settings, homebrew worlds, Star Wars RPGs and other TTRPGs such as Mythic Bastionlands. I love crafting a world, filling it with intrigue and potential hooks and seeing where the players take their own adventure. I've run campaigns for completely new players and players with twice the experience I have and they've all been a blast. In addition to DnD, I also have a few years of LARP experience and a lifelong passion for fantasy and science fiction worlds which both lend themselves well to roleplay and solid worldbuilding. Aside from that I'm a queer 30 year old guy who loves comic books, Star Wars, How To Train Your Dragon, fantasy books and dice. I run sessions in person and online, in both I use my gaming table and collection of hand-painted miniatures to help set the scene as well as images for specific references.

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Character creation

Creating your character

We will run a session zero where I guide you through character creation. However, this will be the standard rolling 4d6 method. Starting at level 1. Using the standard player's guide to help with character creation should suffice. Player characters will already know each other at the start of the campaign so it is important to not create a complete lone wolf style character.

What to expect

Preparing for the session

Please have a Discord account (unless in person is a geographical possibility). I encourage players to use real dice.

What Ryan Watkiss brings to the table

I will provide a lore doc, maps, editable character sheet and all NPC voices. As I encourage roleplay in my sessions there are occasions where rule-of-cool will apply and great gameplay will be rewarded.

Equipment needed to play

Computer or Mobile Device

Internet

Microphone

Physical Dice

Webcam

Safety

How Ryan Watkiss creates a safe table

In session zero and via Direct Messages before session 1 I will discuss player lines and veils as well as how to signal discomfort to me during a session.

Content warnings

Cults
Character Death
Death
Devils / Demons / Fiends
Illness
Violence

Safety tools used

Frequently asked questions