Over the years, Mike Schley has worked in a variety of positions, including lead designer, art director, and freelance illustrator for top-tier publishers. Their art is well recognized among fans of Dungeons and Dragons, having created art and maps for everywhere from The Sword Coast to Barovia, and countless places in between. Mike says that they "aim to ignite the viewer's imagination in a way that inspires their own creativity" with their illustrations. 

Mike Schley

James creates animated background scenes for TTRPGs, and releases new scenes each month. As a concept artist and digital painter, they have a great passion for running and playing a wide variety of role-playing games, creating their art and animations to add atmosphere and immersion to your favorite games.




JamesRPGArt

Because its setting of Barovia is isolated from time and space, the events of Curse of Strahd can take place at any time.

Curse of Strahd is set in the lands of Barovia, Strahd’s domain and prison separated from the rest of the world. The vampire himself resides in Castle Ravenloft.

Most tables report finishing the adventure in 25–30 three- or four-hour sessions.

How long does it take to finish Curse of Strahd?

Curse of Strahd is a self-contained adventure, but groups that wanted to continue playing after vanquishing Strahd could set their sights on the undead dragon Ebondeath in Sleeping Dragon’s Wake or the even greater multiversal threat of Vecna in Vecna: Eve of Ruin, both of which begin around the level Strahd ends.

What adventure comes after Curse of Strahd?

The adventure begins at first level, and finishes around 10th level.

I've played this as a huge chapter in a more massive campaign for friends and enjoyed every minute! This gothic horror adventure expands the original 1983 module, which turns the entire visit to the lands of Barovia and Castle Ravenloft into a sandbox. It's a real treat for those who like stories with vampires, werewolves, ghostly encounters, and haunted houses! The best thing about this adventure is that it has a mechanic that makes it rare to have two runs of it be exactly the same, making it a brand new experience each time and giving the sense of a cycle in the story! For those experiencing this dark fantasy tale for the first time, you will find this is a great introduction to the world of "Ravenloft" and what a horrible place some places can be when evil rules them. You may not even find your journey to be that of heroism but of escape from a hell that isn't your own. Despite that, get your garlic, holy water, and silvered weapons because you are in for one of the best adventures in the game's history!

Curtis 

I have been running D&D games for 25 years and find that never am I at my best moreso than when running Curse of Strahd. The setting, story, characters, set pieces, and villain(s) are top tier and evoke a thrilling sense of dread mixed with emotional stakes (pun intended...?) that continually feel fluid and inspiring time after time. 

This adventure is great as-is, but is made even better with some additions from the community such as DragnaCarta, MandyMod, and Lunch Break Heroes. If gothic horror is your jam - this one's for you. Just never forget that He is the ancient... He is the Land.

DM Travis

Dark, gothic. Vampires, werewolves and curses abound. It is an exceptionally fun module for those who can revel in a dark world. A must play for any TTRPG lovers!

GM Kiupid

As a Dungeon Master with a penchant for weaving rich narratives and fostering player-driven stories, Curse of Strahd has been one of the most rewarding adventures I've ever run. This module isn't just an adventure—it's a toolkit for crafting an unforgettable gothic tale of perseverance, moral ambiguity, and the haunting weight of power.

Cjors Weed

Quite frankly one of the most-loved and incredibly well written campaigns I have had the pleasure of running. Gothic horror at it's finest and really good GMs can set the mood quickly giving you that "creepy forest" and "haunted house" feelings. As wonderful and iconic as this adventure is, be ready, and prepare yourself and other players, for some truly horrible people, bad monsters, sinister evil, and if they aren't sanitized - there are some scenes that make you want to cry. Can't recommend this enough. It's a long haul, but a great campaign, for a truly dedicated group - willing and ready to face true evil!

Paul

Curse of Strahd is a masterfully crafted gothic horror adventure for Dungeons & Dragons 5e, taking players through the cursed land of Barovia, dominated by the enigmatic vampire lord, Strahd von Zarovich. With its rich atmosphere, intricate storytelling, and a blend of dread and intrigue, the module excels at immersing players in its dark, haunting world. 

Highlights include memorable NPCs, such as Strahd himself, dynamic locations like Castle Ravenloft, and a sandbox approach that offers plenty of player agency. 

As one of the very first adventure modules I ran as a DM, Curse of Strahd will always have a special place in my heart<3 :).

Josh Shannon

Curse of Strahd is a character-centric look at horror and heroism in difficult circumstances. The adventure delivers in two parts.

The first is a sandbox exploration sequence through locations desperately in need of heroes. The locations and NPCs are evocative, and there is enough substance that no two groups will ever experience it the same way.

The second is a classic dungeon crawl in a location so well thought out, the castle is an NPC in its own right.

A great DM can deliver the highest quality D&D experience running this adventure. I highly recommend reading reviews, particularly for DMs that can capture mood, NPC quirks, and dynamic world changes based on character actions. This is an adventure where combat means far less than in other campaigns, and many of the fights are outright lethal. Players should be ready to solve problems with more solutions than simply sword and sorcery.

A great DM will also explore safety in this campaign. Many components to this tale feed into toxic tropes common to gothic horror, and some situations can be graphic and triggering. A good DM will discuss these things in advance and engage in conversation to see how players are doing.

I highly recommend this adventure to players, so long as you choose your DM wisely.

Connor S - The Healer DM

Curse of Strahd is genuinely a masterpiece of dark fantasy horror in tabletop role-playing, delivering a richly atmospheric experience that is as challenging as it is immersive. The harrowing land of Barovia, coupled with its tragic yet unhinged villain, Strahd von Zarovich, offers players a thrilling sandbox filled with danger, intrigue, and memorable encounters. The module strikes a great balance between open exploration and narrative depth, providing ample opportunities for roleplay, combat, and clever problem-solving. A must-play for any group seeking a hauntingly unforgettable D&D adventure.

That_DeAngelo

The vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich, one of D&D’s most iconic villains, is the undisputed master of his hidden domain of Barovia. While his reign of terror breaks the spirits of his subjects, he himself is a prisoner; Barovia is a demiplane, a pocket dimension which traps both the vampire and his victims, to Strahd to possess, enthrall, or dispose of as he sees fit. Perhaps the heroes who now wander into its mists will slay Strahd and free Barovia once and for all… or perhaps they will simply die, just like all who have come before.

Curse of Strahd is a gothic horror adventure module for the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons. Based on the classic Ravenloft by Laura and Tracy Hickman, Strahd revamps the beloved adventure with tons of new NPCs, locations, and a full history of the dark lord Strahd himself. It’s a good example of a “sandbox” or open-world adventure; while Barovia’s borders trap the heroes, there’s nothing stopping them from exploring wherever they like, and deadly danger can appear anywhere. As such, players need to play smart and be cautious, as even the devilish vampire himself can show up whenever he likes to torment them. The adventure begins with a divinatory card reading that can completely randomize the locations of important characters and treasures, so the module can even be replayed without retreading too much old ground. Heroes will need to gather allies, grow in strength, and ultimately know their enemy to resist Strahd’s charms and temptations and put him in the ground for good!
