Curse of Strahd | Fight Undead! Explore gothic lands!

Creating your character

Characters begin at level 1, using the 2024 D&D 5e rules. We'll create characters together during our free Session Zero, where we'll discuss backstories, party connections, and how everyone fits into the adventure. - Ability Scores: Standard Array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) only. Everyone starts on equal footing, with strengths and weaknesses. That 8 is intentional! Flaws are part of what makes characters interesting, and overcoming them is part of the adventure. - Character Builder: D&D Beyond is recommended, but Roll20, PDFs, and other character sheets are welcome. - Character Options: Official 2024 D&D character options are welcome. Older official material and homebrew require DM approval. - Starting Equipment: Standard starting equipment from your class and background. Create someone you're excited to play, but also someone you understand! You don't need to memorize every rule, but you should know what your main abilities and spells do. Beginners are welcome. I'll help you build a character that fits your playstyle and make sure you're comfortable with their abilities before our first paid session. All characters must be completed and approved before their first paid session.

Preparing for the session

Before our first adventure, you'll need a few things: 1. Discord: A free account at https://discord.com for voice chat, announcements, and communication between sessions. 2. Roll20: A free account at https://roll20.net for maps, tokens, handouts, and combat. 3. D&D Beyond (Recommended): A free account at https://www.dndbeyond.com for character creation and management. Other character sheets are welcome. 4. A working microphone: Voice communication is required. Headphones are recommended, but webcams are optional. 5. A computer and stable internet connection: You'll need to access Roll20 and Discord during sessions. I'll send invitations to our Discord server and Roll20 game after you join. We'll create characters together during our free Session Zero using the 2024 D&D rules. You don't need to prepare a character beforehand, but you're welcome to bring ideas! Before your first paid session, please have your character sheet completed and approved, and familiarize yourself with your character's main abilities, spells, and equipment. I'll gladly help if you're new to D&D or need assistance. You don't need to purchase any books, software, or subscriptions. Most importantly, bring a cooperative attitude, a sense of humor, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected!

What GM Aaron brings to the table

I've been running tabletop RPGs since 2011, and my favorite part of being a GM is watching players surprise me. I love creating memorable characters, interesting problems, and dangerous situations, then seeing what happens when a group of adventurers gets involved. Here's what you can expect at my table: - Character Voices & Roleplay: I love bringing NPCs to life, whether they're terrifying villains, lovable idiots, or someone you'll remember long after the adventure ends. - Atmosphere & Immersion: Descriptive narration, background music, sound effects, and Roll20 maps help bring the world to life. - Exciting Combat: Engaging encounters with dangerous monsters, interesting environments, and opportunities to do more than just stand around trading attacks. Whether combat is tactical, cinematic, or unpredictable, I want every encounter to feel meaningful. - Player Freedom: I prepare locations, characters, and situations, not scripts. You're free to approach problems however you like, and your decisions have consequences. - Rule of Cool: The rules of our chosen system are our foundation, but I'm happy to entertain creative ideas. I aim for rulings that are fun, fair, and consistent. - Humor & Drama: I enjoy a good laugh as much as a dramatic moment. Sometimes things get ridiculous. Sometimes they get serious. The best adventures have room for both. - Character Spotlight: Your backstory, personality, and goals matter. I'll look for opportunities to make your character part of the world and give everyone a chance to shine. I provide prepared Roll20 maps, tokens, encounters, handouts, and music. I don't use AI-generated artwork, music, or other AI-generated media during gameplay. Above all, I want our sessions to feel like we're creating an adventure together, not following a story I've already written. I'll bring the world, the characters, and the trouble. What happens next is up to you.

Homebrew rules

I keep house rules to a minimum. We use the official rules of our chosen system as our foundation, but I'm not interested in stopping the adventure every five minutes to argue over technicalities. Here's how I handle things: - Rule of Cool: Have a crazy idea? Tell me what you're trying to do! I love creative solutions and unconventional tactics. If something sounds reasonable, I'll figure out how we can make it work within the rules. - Rules as Intended: I generally follow the rules as written and intended, prioritizing fairness and consistency over technical loopholes. - Creative Freedom: You're welcome to attempt things that aren't specifically covered by the rules. That doesn't guarantee success, but I'll explain the risks when appropriate and give you a fair chance. - Consistent Rulings: If we encounter an unclear rule, I'll make a ruling to keep the game moving. We can look it up afterward and establish how we'll handle it going forward. - Homebrew Content: Custom character options, abilities, spells, and other player-created material require my approval before use. Any additional house rules or mechanical changes will be discussed during our free Session Zero. My philosophy is simple: the rules are there to make the game fun, challenging, and fair—not to get in the way of a good adventure.

How GM Aaron creates a safe table

I want everyone at my table to feel comfortable, respected, and free to enjoy the adventure. Here's how I handle player safety: - Session Zero: Before our first paid session, we'll discuss the campaign's tone, content, expectations, character creation, and player boundaries. Session Zero is free! - Lines and Veils: I'll provide a private questionnaire where you can identify subjects you want excluded entirely (Lines) or kept offscreen (Veils). You never have to explain your boundaries. - X, N, and O Cards: You can communicate verbally or through private Discord messages. X means stop, N means we're approaching a boundary, and O means you're comfortable continuing. No webcam or physical cards required. - Open Door & Breaks: You're welcome to step away or request a break at any time, without explanation. - Aftercare: Following particularly intense or emotional scenes, I'll check in to make sure everyone is comfortable. - Stars and Wishes: You're welcome to share what you enjoyed and what you'd like to see more of in future sessions. You can message me privately at any time if something is bothering you. I'll take your concerns seriously and work with you to address them. Characters may argue, make terrible decisions, or face dangerous situations, but players are always expected to treat one another with respect. My goal is a welcoming table where everyone feels heard, respected, and comfortable participating.