Image by Carl Parham with A.I. assistance
Curse of Strahd - Shadows of Dread
The mists chose you. Strahd rules this land… but something else is watching. Your fate is already in motion.
$25.00
/ Session
Details
2 players following this game
Bi-weekly / Monday - 2:00 AM UTC
Session Duration / 3 hours
Campaign Length / 1–4 Sessions
0 / 4 Seats Filled
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One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.
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About the adventure
Barovia is a land caught between life and death—shrouded in endless mist, where the sun never truly rises and hope fades as quickly as it is found. Ancient forests whisper with unseen voices, and villages cling to survival beneath the shadow of Castle Ravenloft. At the center of it all is Count Strahd von Zarovich—an immortal ruler of patience, elegance, and absolute control. He does not hunt recklessly. He watches. He waits. And when he acts, it is always with purpose. This campaign is built on the foundation of Curse of Strahd, enhanced with new narrative elements that breathe further life into the Mists and expand the forces at work within Barovia. Gothic horror remains at its core—fate, corruption, obsession, and the cost of survival in a world designed to break you. Your choices carry weight, often in ways not immediately clear. Beneath Strahd’s domain, something else stirs—an unseen force pressing against the boundaries of Barovia. The Tarokka cards may guide you… but they no longer tell the whole truth. I run immersive, story-driven games where player agency and character development take center stage. Expect strong roleplay, meaningful decisions, and a living world that reacts to your actions. Combat is cinematic and purposeful—every encounter has stakes and narrative impact. Tension builds naturally, horror feels earned, and moments of hope are rare… but powerful. This game is great for both first-time players and those returning to Barovia looking for a fresh experience. The fire is warm, the wine is poured, and your story is already unfolding—you just haven’t seen where it leads yet.
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(17)
4 years on StartPlaying
206 games hosted
Highly rated for: Beginner Friendly, Storytelling, Creativity
Average response time: 24+ hours
Response rate: 50%
About me
Hello, and thank you for taking the time to visit my profile. My name is Carl, and I've been playing tabletop roleplaying games—primarily Dungeons & Dragons—since 1986. I've been running games and creating campaign settings since 1989, for groups as small as two players and tables so large they had to be split into multiple adventuring parties. My longest-running gaming group met in person 45 out of 52 Saturdays each year for over five and a half years. I served as an Adventurers League Dungeon Master during the first five seasons of D&D 5th Edition at my local game store, where I had the privilege of introducing countless new players to the hobby. Many of those players eventually went on to become Game Masters themselves. Over the years, I've run games for players ranging from age 5 to their mid-70s, from complete beginners rolling their first dice to veteran adventurers who remember exploring Undermountain when it was new. I believe tabletop gaming is at its best when everyone feels welcome at the table. My games are inclusive, respectful spaces where players of all backgrounds can come together, create memorable characters, and tell unforgettable stories. No matter who you are or where you come from, there's a place for you at my table. After all, everyone has a story to tell—so let's tell yours together.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Character Creation Guidelines Characters will be created using the Dungeons & Dragons 2024 rules. New and experienced players are both welcome—I’m happy to help guide you through the process during Session 0. Create a character who has a reason to explore the unknown, confront danger, and work with others. Barovia is a harsh and unforgiving land, so characters with strong motivations, personal stakes, or something to prove will feel right at home. Heroic, morally gray, or even flawed characters all fit—just be prepared to face difficult choices. Starting Details Starting Level: 1 (or as discussed before Session 0) Ability Scores: Standard Array or Point Buy Hit Points: Max at 1st level Equipment: Starting equipment from class/background Backstory & Roleplay Backstories don’t need to be long, but they should include: A clear motivation (what drives you forward?) At least one meaningful connection (person, place, or event) Something your character fears, regrets, or desires I will actively incorporate your backstory into the campaign. The more hooks you give me, the more the world can respond to your character. Tone & Setting Fit Barovia is a gothic horror setting. Characters should: Be willing to engage with dark themes Have a reason to keep going despite fear or hopelessness Be able to cooperate with the party Characters designed to avoid danger entirely or disrupt group cohesion may not be a good fit for this campaign. Additional Notes Homebrew may be allowed on a case-by-case basis Character options from official 5e/2024 content are welcome Safety tools and boundaries will be discussed during Session 0 Final Thought You don’t need to be perfect. You just need a reason to step into the mist.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
This game uses Roll20 for gameplay and Discord for voice chat. A stable internet connection, a working microphone, and a free Roll20 account are required. A webcam is optional but not required. Players should have a basic familiarity with the D&D 2024 rules, but new players are absolutely welcome—I’m happy to help you learn during Session 0 and throughout the game. ****Streaming Notice (Important) This game may be streamed live on Twitch. By joining, you are consenting to your voice being included in the broadcast. You are not required to use a webcam. Please use a display name you are comfortable sharing publicly. Keep in mind this is a public-facing game environment. My goal is to create a fun, immersive experience while maintaining a respectful and comfortable space for everyone. Before Session 0 Please come prepared with: A rough character concept (mechanics can be finalized together) A working Discord setup (mic tested) Access to Roll20 We will complete character creation, discuss expectations, and go over safety tools during Session 0. Table Expectations Be respectful and engaged Be willing to work as part of a team Stay present and minimize distractions when possible Communicate openly if issues arise This is a story-driven, immersive game—your participation helps bring the world to life. Final Note You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be ready to step into the mist.
What Carl brings to the table
I provide a fully immersive, story-driven experience designed to bring Barovia to life. Custom Maps & Visuals (Roll20) High-quality maps, tokens, and handouts to support cinematic gameplay and exploration Atmosphere & Immersion Music, ambient sound, and detailed descriptions to create a rich gothic horror experience Expanded Narrative Content A version of Curse of Strahd enhanced with new story elements, mysteries, and evolving threats within the Mists Character Integration Your backstory matters—personal story arcs and choices will shape the world and narrative Cinematic Combat & Encounters Meaningful encounters with stakes, terrain, and storytelling built into every fight Guidance & Support Help with character creation, rules, and roleplay—new players are always welcome Consistent, Reliable Sessions Organized sessions that respect your time and keep the story moving forward Optional Streaming Experience Sessions may be streamed on Twitch, adding a “live show” energy to the game while maintaining a respectful and player-focused environment. Final Touch A world that reacts. A story that remembers. And a table where your character truly matters.
Homebrew rules
To enhance immersion, tension, and cinematic storytelling, this game uses a few light homebrew elements designed to support the gothic horror experience without slowing down gameplay. Subtle Rolls At times, I may roll dice behind the screen without immediately explaining why. These “subtle rolls” are used to: Build tension and uncertainty Represent hidden forces and unseen influences Keep players engaged with the unknown Not every roll will have an immediate or visible result—but it may matter more than you think. Horror Checks (Stress & Fear) When characters face overwhelming fear, supernatural horror, or deeply disturbing events, I may call for a Horror Check. Typically a Wisdom or Charisma saving throw Failure may result in short-term fear, hesitation, or narrative effects Designed to enhance atmosphere—not punish players These reflect the psychological toll of Barovia while keeping gameplay fun and engaging. Spotlight Tokens Each player receives 1 Spotlight Token per session. A Spotlight Token can be used to: Gain advantage on a roll Introduce a small narrative detail Take a brief cinematic moment to shine These are intended to encourage creativity, support roleplay, and give each character meaningful spotlight moments. Unused tokens do not carry over between sessions. Gifts of the Mists (Stream Interaction) If sessions are streamed on Twitch, viewers may have limited opportunities to influence the game in small, supportive ways. Subscribers may grant a minor boon, such as: A healing potion A small utility item A brief stroke of good fortune These moments are framed as the Mists subtly shifting in the party’s favor… though not all gifts are as simple as they appear. Balance & Fairness All viewer interactions are DM moderated Rewards remain minor and non-disruptive Frequency is limited to maintain balance The game will never become pay-to-win The focus always remains on player choice, story, and shared experience. Design Philosophy These rules are intentionally light-touch and flexible. They exist to support story, tension, and player agency—not to restrict or complicate gameplay. Final Note In Barovia, not everything is seen… and not everything is meant to be understood.
Equipment needed to play
Computer
Headphones
Internet
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Carl creates a safe table
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all players, this game uses a few simple and effective safety tools. These will be discussed during Session 0. Lines & Veils We will use a shared Lines & Veils document: Lines are hard limits (content that will not appear in the game) Veils are topics that may exist but will fade to black or remain off-screen Players may add to this list at any time, privately if preferred. Pause / X-Card System At any point during the game, players can signal discomfort by: Saying “pause” or “X” Typing in chat Messaging me privately Content will be adjusted immediately—no explanation required in the moment. Open Door Policy Players are always free to step away from the game at any time, for any reason. Check-Ins At the end of sessions, we’ll take a brief moment to check in as a group and make sure everyone is comfortable with how the game is progressing. Streaming Note If the session is being streamed, all safety tools and boundaries will still be fully respected. Content may be adjusted in real time to maintain a safe and comfortable environment. Final Note This is a horror game—but your comfort always comes first.
Content warnings
Safety tools used