Curse of Strahd | 5e 2024| All are Welcomed.

Creating your character

When and Where: Character creation will take place during Session 0, our dedicated pre-campaign gathering before the adventure begins. This session gives everyone the chance to build their characters together, ask questions, and get comfortable before we dive into Curse of Strahd. Characters will be built using DnDBeyond and then imported into our Virtual Tabletop for play. Stats: We will be using the Standard Array method for determining character stats, as outlined in the Player's Handbook for Dungeons and Dragons 5.5e 2024 edition. This method gives every player the same set of numbers to assign to their character's abilities, keeping things balanced and straightforward for new and experienced players alike. What Books to Use: Characters can be any race or class found in Official Dungeons and Dragons content. Third Party content may be considered. A Note for New Players: If this is your first time playing Dungeons and Dragons, do not worry! Session 0 is the perfect place to learn the basics of character creation with guidance every step of the way. Come with an open mind and a sense of adventure, and we will handle the rest together.

Preparing for the session

Players will need: -Discord and a working Microphone -An account on Forge VTT -DnDbeyond account

What Justin brings to the table

As your Game Master, I’ll guide you through an epic, character-driven journey in a world where your decisions shape the fate of nations, and the shadows of the past rise to challenge the future. My focus is on immersive storytelling, meaningful choices, and a world that evolves in response to your actions. Expect cinematic scenes, dynamic characters, and mysteries that unravel piece by piece as you venture deeper into the unknown. I try to use character voices, descriptive narration, and ambient music to create a vivid atmosphere at the table. My goal is to draw you into the world and make each moment feel alive. You'll encounter NPCs with depth, motivations, and secrets, and you'll be encouraged to form relationships, whether alliances or rivalries, that carry weight. Combat is intense and intentional. While not every session is combat heavy, when it happens, it's meant to feel dangerous, thrilling, and tactical. I lean into the Rule of Cool. If you describe an awesome, creative action that fits the scene and feels heroic (or tragic), I’ll reward bold ideas over strict mechanics. That said, the Rules as Written provide the foundation for fairness and consistency. I aim for balance: we respect the rules but aren't bound by them when the story demands something greater. Ultimately, I provide a collaborative experience where character growth, narrative arcs, and world impact take center stage. If you're here for unforgettable moments, deep lore, and the freedom to forge your own legend.

Homebrew rules

There will be a few variant rules discussed during session 0. These rules will cover: Go Beyond! Exhaustion. Healing Potion Use. Critical Hits! Don't Let Your Allies Fall. And a few more.

How Justin creates a safe table

Creating a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment is a top priority in every game I run. This is a collaborative story, and everyone at the table deserves to feel heard, valued, and secure. To help support this, a Lines and Veils document will be shared before the campaign begins and will remain available at all times during play for easy reference. Players are encouraged to review it and add to it as needed. We’re all here to tell a great story together, and that includes knowing where the boundaries are. During Session 0, we’ll go over the tone of the game, character creation expectations, party dynamics, and, most importantly, our shared safety tools. This includes a discussion of Lines (hard limits) and Veils (fade-to-black subjects), themes players want to explore or avoid, and how to support one another both narratively and emotionally throughout the campaign. To support ongoing safety, I use the X, N, and O system so players can use digital signals or send me a private message during or after a session to flag any issues. Whether it's a moment of discomfort, a scene that’s pushing too far, or a need to pause, these tools are always respected, no questions asked. I also make it clear that I’m always available for private check-ins outside of sessions to address concerns, adjust content, or just to talk things through. Aftercare is something I take seriously, especially after emotionally intense scenes. I offer time to debrief, celebrate wins, and decompress, whether that’s a casual conversation after the session or a check-in before the next game. My goal is to ensure that every player feels comfortable, empowered, and excited to return to the table each time we gather.