She is the Ancient, a genderbent Curse of Strahd

Creating your character

Character creation will be a collaborative process completed during Session Zero. You are welcome to arrive with two or three character concepts, but please avoid finalizing your character until we have discussed the party, campaign tone, and opportunities for shared connections. Characters will begin at Level 3 and will be created using D&D Beyond. We will use either the Standard Array so every character begins on equal footing. Official D&D character options are welcome, while homebrew and third-party material require prior approval. Rather than requiring a lengthy backstory, I ask each player to consider a few bullet points. Some examples are as follows: What does your character desire badly enough to brave the unknown? Who or what have they left behind? What do they fear losing—or becoming? Why will they remain loyal to the party when circumstances become difficult? What secret, regret, or temptation might the darkness use against them? During Session Zero, we will establish at least one meaningful connection between every character and another member of the party. These bonds might include friendship, family, military service, an unpaid debt, a shared tragedy, or simply a promise made before entering the mists. Characters should be willing to cooperate, engage with the story, and occasionally retreat when survival demands it. Evil characters, disruptive lone wolves, unwanted player-versus-player conflict, and concepts designed to undermine the group are not appropriate for this campaign. New players are warmly welcomed, and I will gladly assist with choosing a class, completing a character sheet, developing a backstory, or selecting a pre-generated character. Players may make reasonable adjustments to their character during the first two sessions if the original concept is not playing as expected. Your character does not need to be fearless. They only need a reason to keep walking when the mists close behind them.

Preparing for the session

To help create the most engaging and enjoyable experience for everyone, players are encouraged to use a webcam and a reliable microphone during sessions. Links for Zoom, Discord, the D&D Beyond campaign, and AboveVTT will be provided before play begins. Interested players should create a free account at DnDBeyond.com in advance. A private group chat will also be established on the party’s preferred platform. This space will be available for campaign updates, scheduling, character discussions, and optional roleplay between sessions. If the group is interested, it may remain active after the campaign concludes so players can stay connected. Sessions may be recorded with the group’s knowledge and consent. Campaign recordings will be made available to participating players upon request.

What BayouB brings to the table

*A spirited attempt at distinctive NPC voices—some more convincing than others, but all performed with enthusiasm. *Atmospheric music and environmental sound effects incorporated into most VTT scenes to enhance immersion. *A “Rule of Cool” approach that rewards creativity, cinematic ideas, and memorable character moments while maintaining fairness and consistency. *Engaging combat encounters supported by meaningful roleplay, tactical choices, and opportunities for solutions beyond simply fighting. *Above all, a welcoming and enjoyable experience filled with adventure, suspense, laughter, teamwork, and lasting memories.

Homebrew rules

Any homebrew rules will be established with the party’s fairness in mind and applied consistently to all players throughout the campaign.

How BayouB creates a safe table

Player safety, comfort, and enjoyment are my highest priorities. We will discuss expectations, boundaries, and concerns as a group during Session Zero, with additional conversations welcomed at any point throughout the campaign. Players may speak with me publicly or privately whenever needed so that everyone feels respected, included, and able to enjoy the experience.