Ravenloft: Heirs of the Night | Play as a Vampire or Werewolf!

Creating your character

Character options are unique in this game. You are a member of the Vampire nobility, a Hag coven, a Lycanthrope clan, or someone who has not moved on, either because of unfinished business, the tampering of dark magic, or whatever else sounds fun to you! Character creation will include one of four options from Ravenloft: The Horrors Within; Dhampir, Hexblood, Lycan, and Reborn. You will then start your path as a: -Vampire Spawn -Hag -Lycanthrope -Another undead of your choice (Specter, Revenant, Skeleton, etc.) or a construct (e.g. Frankenstein's monster as a Flesh Golem). I am totally open to other ideas! The default options will include using the 2014 Monster Manual rules for Vampirism and Lycanthrope, and the notes regarding Hags in Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft. I am also open to Grim Hollow player transformations and Eldritch Heritages, Vampire: The Masquerade Bound by Blood Kindred class for DND, or other sources that fit your vision. I am open and want you to play something that builds a compelling story! You will be powerful characters, but you will also carry their weaknesses... To survive the horrors of Ravenloft and what you might uncover, you will need every advantage you can get. To keep the playing field level, stats will be based on the 2014 Monster Manual Vampire spread: 18 18 18 15 14 13. 18's will all go to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution, with the other three assigned as you want. Character rules default to 2024, but subclass options from 2014 are available.

Preparing for the session

-Free DND Beyond account -Free Discord account The Virtual Tabletop will be run in DND Beyond Maps, so no additional software or accounts are required. Discord will be used for Voice Chat and campaign management. Webcams are optional, I will usually have mine on at the start of session, but will turn it off as I flip between screens running the game.

What Brian M. brings to the table

As your GM, I craft an immersive, high-production, and deeply character-driven experience. My goal is to make you feel like the starring cast of a dark, cinematic HBO fantasy series. The GM Experience Atmosphere & Polish: Expect tactical maps, unique characters, ambient music, and knowing each encounter offers true peril. I am not a professional voice actor, but I will bring every character to life. Personalized Narrative: Your backstory isn't background noise—it is the plot. I weave your character’s personal history, rivalries, and secret goals directly into the main campaign arc. Your choices have permanent, world-shaping consequences. While you are crawling through Ravenloft, your own narrative will weave into the Domains and the political intrigue back home. Tactical & Dynamic Combat: Battles are fast, brutal, and meaningful. I run smart, reactive enemies using dynamic battlemaps with elevated terrain, environmental hazards, and clear tactical objectives beyond just "kill everything." In fact, to best the Dark Lords, killing them may not be the only way to succeed... Playstyle & Table Rules Rule of Cool > Rules Lawyers: The rules provide the foundation, but creativity wins the day. If you want to pull off a cinematic, heroic, or monstrous maneuver that makes logical sense in the scene, I will always find a way to let you roll for it. Safety & Respect: Dark fantasy requires a safe table. We use formal safety tools (Lines & Veils, X-Card, Open Door policy) to explore heavy, gothic themes comfortably and collaboratively. Collaborative Storytelling: I play with you, not against you. I want your characters to look incredible, face genuine peril, and earn their triumphs.

Homebrew rules

-Healing Potions - Bonus Action for its usual effect, or you can use a full Action to automatically gain the maximum healing the potion offers. -Character creation - Since we are using player transformations for vampirism, lycanthrope, hexbloods, etc. we will need to homebrew specific mechanics into your character sheet. We will work together to make sure these fit your unique transformation.

How Brian M. creates a safe table

Exploring dark gothic fantasy and cosmic horror is most rewarding when everyone feels secure, respected, and supported. Ravenloft touches on challenging themes by nature, and I am committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive table where we can dive into the darkness together with complete trust. Free Session 0 & 1-on-1s: We begin with a dedicated, free Session 0 to establish table norms, align on expectations, build character connections, and walk through our safety tools together. I also offer private 1-on-1 check-ins before the campaign begins for anyone who wants to discuss character concepts or personal boundaries in private. Lines & Veils Document: Before we play, every player receives a digital Lines and Veils form. This document establishes hard stops (topics that will never appear) and soft veils (topics that occur off-screen/fade to black). I keep a master sheet, compiling the Lines and Veils into one document. I keep this document updated and accessible to the whole group throughout the entire campaign through Google Drive. Digital X, N, & O Cards: Safety tools are available at any second during gameplay. Because I keep the public game chat window minimized to focus on the battlemap and scene visuals, direct private messages to me are the fastest, most discreet way to trigger an X, N, or O. I will pause or redirect the scene immediately without putting anyone on the spot. During particularly intense or heavy scenes, I will proactively pause and check in with the table before proceeding. Open-Door Policy & Breaks: Mid-session bio and mental breaks are built into every game. You are always welcome to step away from the table at any moment, no questions asked, if you need a breather. Debrief: After every session, we spend 10–15 minutes winding down as a group to step out of character, decompress, discuss the session, and give feedback. If a scene hit particularly close to home, I am always available after the session or during the week for private 1-on-1 debriefs to ensure everyone leaves the table feeling comfortable and supported.