🥀 Curse of Strahd: ReVamped | Expanded Lore | 2014 Rules

Creating your character

Creating a character should be easy and done collaboratively. A couple of clicks on our virtual tabletop and you've got your sheet ready to play. Everything, including the campaign-specific hooks that connect your character to Barovia, is sorted out in our free Session 0 with me one-on-one. This is a brief description of how we will create characters once you have been confirmed at our table: 🧙‍♀️ 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 Together, we build a character, flesh out your backstory, discuss personal boundaries, and add your hooks to the campaign so that your character belongs to the setting from the very beginning. 🗺️ 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞? The character sheet is built within the virtual tabletop during our session zero. This process is simple and fast, and I walk you through each stage step by step so that you never get lost. 📚 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 No purchases are necessary. The library of options is vast. Wanting an exotic option such as a Gunslinger, Blood Hunter, or any other third-party supplement? No problem. Just let me know what you would like, and we'll work out something that will fit the table perfectly. In addition, here are some additional important points about character creation: 🏁 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 By default, Level 1. For those who wish to play at higher levels, we'll discuss possibilities and choose the right level for you personally and for the game. 🎲 𝐀𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 To reflect the epic scope of this campaign, we use a high-power method inspired by Critical Role's Campaign 4: rolling 5d6 and dropping the two lowest dice for each ability score. This produces heroes who feel larger than life from the very first session. Your total should land between 72 and 82, and any result outside that range gets rerolled, keeping the whole table balanced while still letting every character shine. A prep call before session zero can be arranged if you wish!

Preparing for the session

Getting ready to play is quick and straightforward. Most of the setup happens through Discord, and I will guide you through anything you need along the way. 🔐 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 Make sure you have a Discord account and verify your phone number, as this is required to access the server. 💬 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐫 Use the invite link that will be provided when you join the campaign to join the server and follow the onboarding steps. Audio and camera will happen on Discord, while the visual and mechanical parts of the game, such as maps, dice rolls, and effects, will take place in Foundry Virtual Tabletop. 🔌 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 Use a stable internet connection and a headset with a microphone for the best experience. A webcam is completely optional. 🗺️ 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲? Sessions take place on Foundry Virtual Tabletop. You do not need to buy a license. Access will be provided on the day of the session. ⚙️ 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 For better performance, it is recommended to download FLC (Foundry Lightweight Client). It is a small tool that helps the virtual tabletop run more smoothly on your computer by optimising how it loads maps, lighting, and visual effects. This can reduce lag and improve stability, especially during large or animated scenes. https://foundry.ruleplaying.com/flc⁠ 📝 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 After joining the server, schedule your individual Session Zero with me on Discord. This is where we create your character and talk about personal limits and campaign expectations. The setup process is very simple. Join the server, follow the steps, and I will take care of the rest on game day. I am always available to help with any questions or technical issues.

What João Victor brings to the table

My tables focus on atmosphere, strong visuals, and collaborative storytelling. I aim to create sessions that feel immersive while still leaving plenty of room for player creativity and unexpected choices. 🗺️ 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐲 𝐕𝐓𝐓 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 Full map and sheet integration, tokens, and clickable X/N/O cards come standard at my table. I also use a collection of premium modules and tools to enhance visuals, automation, and immersion, and part of why this is a paid campaign is to keep those resources running and the experience premium. I open the game instance on session day so you can jump in quickly and focus on play. 🎬 𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐩𝐬 Short cutscenes and staged transitions set the mood. For fights, I use animated map packs from Beneos Battlemaps. These are high-resolution maps with built-in animated elements like drifting fog, moving water, and dynamic environmental details that make locations feel alive while keeping tactical clarity. Combat then ramps into 4K battlemaps with dynamic lighting and clear grids so tactical choices are obvious. Everything is timed to land like a showpiece. 🎵 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐅𝐗 I run music and sound cues through Narrator's Jukebox by Wand and Widgets to heighten the atmosphere. Tracks and SFX are carefully chosen, and you're always free to opt out or lower the volume if you prefer. Players can also suggest tracks during the session via the music module, letting the playlist shift to match the table's rhythm and mood. 🎭 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 Distinct NPC voices and mannerisms bring characters to life at the table. I encourage players to lean into roleplay, and I'll match their energy to help lift every scene. ⚔️ 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 Combat carries real weight and consequence here. Encounters are built to be strategic and meaningful moments, not constant background noise. 🎲 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 I support bold player ideas and prioritize memorable scenes, all while keeping fairness and table balance intact. If a cool idea fits the story, I'll find a fair way to make it happen. At the end of the day, the magic moment is when someone rolls for a desperate move, and the result changes everything.

Homebrew rules

These are a few house rules I use to keep the game moving, expand tactical choices, and give characters a more cinematic feel without compromising balance. They are open to discussion during Session 0, so we can build a table that works for everyone. 🧪 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐔𝐬𝐞 Drinking a potion requires either an Action or a Bonus Action. Administering one to another creature, willing or unconscious, requires an Action. When you drink a healing potion as an Action, it restores its maximum healing value. Drinking it as a Bonus Action uses the normal healing roll. 💡 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐨𝐥 Inspiration is shared by the whole table. Players can give Inspiration to one another, encouraging teamwork and rewarding memorable moments. ⚔️ 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 Flanking provides a +1 bonus to melee attack rolls. Positioning and cooperation matter, rewarding characters who work together tactically. ⭐ 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭 Every character begins with one additional feat. This helps define character concepts from the very beginning and gives each character more mechanical identity. 📜 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝-𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 Options from sources such as Valda's Spire of Secrets, Tal'Dorei Reborn, and other third-party material can be discussed and adapted for the campaign. Content is reviewed together to ensure it fits the setting, tone, and balance of the table. A few additional house rules, including how critical hits and fumbles work, are detailed in our Discord server. You'll have access to everything before we begin. If a rule concerns you or you would like to suggest an adjustment, bring it up during Session 0. These rules are here to support the game, not restrict creativity.

How João Victor creates a safe table

This campaign is meant to be a safe, welcoming space for everyone. To make that real, I use a set of safety tools that protect comfort, consent, and well-being during sessions and after. Every player will also have an individual Session 0 focused on character creation and clarifying limits, so no one is surprised by an unwanted topic. 📎 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭, 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐬 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝 Lines & Veils and Monte Cook Consent Checklist PDF for you to read and edit before Session Zero and a short guide explaining the tools we use. You can suggest additions at any time. These are living documents. 🕰️ 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨, 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬? Group Session 0: campaign tone, pacing, house rules, safety tools, session rhythm, and the Open Door policy. Individual Session 0: We build your character, review backstory, fill the Monte Cook checklist together, and set personal limits. I’ll confirm your X / N / O preferences and explain any house mechanics (for example, 5d6dl2 or Inspiration Pool). 🃏 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐗 / 𝐍 / 𝐎 X (Stop) pause the scene immediately. We move on, and I check in privately. N (Adjust) continue with changes. We pause briefly to agree on the tweak. O (Okay) you’re comfortable with that content. Formats: These options will be integrated into Foundry VTT. You will be able to click on the options at any time within the system during the session. ☕ 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 Planned breaks are about 90–120 minutes in session, and the option for an immediate pause if needed. Nonverbal signals are welcome for those who prefer not to speak up in the moment. I watch spotlight balance and tone to keep things fair and engaging. 💬 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 Quick group debrief (~5 minutes) to note what worked and what to tweak. If a scene hits hard, I do an immediate private check-in. I follow up with a personal message within 24–48 hours to make sure you’re okay and to offer adjustments. If you want extra support or resources, I’ll help find appropriate options. 🚪 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 If something bothers you, please tell me. For sensitive matters, I prefer Discord DMs. You choose how and when to speak up. I respect your preference for private or public discussion. 🔒 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 Notes from Session Zero and aftercare conversations remain private. Consent is ongoing. Scenes, triggers, and rules can be changed at any time by request.