Curse of Strahd

Curse of Strahd

A Vampire’s Curse, A Heroe's Trial

Trapped in the misty land of Barovia, you must navigate a world of creeping dread, haunted villages, and the looming presence of Castle Ravenloft. The ancient vampire Strahd von Zarovich watches your every move, his twisted game already in motion. Guided by a cryptic Tarroka reading, will you uncover the secrets to Barovia, or become yet another lost soul?

 

What to expect

 

Non-linear gameplay: Choose your own path and tackle quests in any order.

Active villain: Strahd is always watching, manipulating, and shaping the story.

Moral ambiguity: Barovia’s people are flawed, with no clear heroes or villains.

Survival in a cursed land: Barovia is bleak, with little hope and even less magic.

Story

Synopsis

You’ve been pulled into the cursed land of Barovia, a realm shrouded in mist and ruled by the vampire lord Strahd von Zarovich. He didn’t bring you here by accident. You were chosen to be his playthings, pawns in a twisted game where he watches, waits, and manipulates your every move.

Haunted villages, forgotten ruins, and strange allies lie ahead, all shaped by a mysterious Tarroka reading that seals your fate. To escape, you must face Strahd, uncover the secrets of Barovia, and survive the creeping darkness.

Lore

Barovia

Once a peaceful valley in the Balinok Mountains, Barovia was conquered by the vampire Strahd von Zarovich, who renamed it after his father and sealed it within a mist-filled demiplane. None may leave without his will. The Vistani, allowed passage for an ancient debt, serve as his eyes and agents. Most Barovians live in fear, clinging to the villages of Barovia, Vallaki, and Krezk, while monsters and Strahd’s servants roam freely.  Castle Ravenloft looms ever above, a reminder that this land belongs to Strahd. (Player knowledge not character knowledge)

Vistani

The Vistani are vibrant, nomadic folk who travel Barovia in colorful wagons, free to come and go as they please unlike the land’s cursed inhabitants. Known for their lively music, bright clothing, and tight-knit families, they thrive as craftsmen, entertainers, fortune-tellers, and traders. Each clan is led by an elder who guides them with riddles and wisdom. While joyful and generous among their own, the Vistani are fiercely protective of their traditions and will defend them without mercy. (Player knowledge not character knowledge)

Safety

Trigger Warnings

Because of the nature of themes explored in this campaign, it will explore some things that might cause triggers for some players. Here is the long list of those trigger warnings:

  • Ableism
  • Abuse
  • Alcohol Use
  • Animal abuse
  • Animal Death
  • Blood
  • Body Horror
  • Character Death
  • Child Abandonment
  • Classism
  • Child Death
  • Confronting Abuser
  • Controlling Parents
  • Death
  • Drowning
  • Drugs (addiction, use, withdrawal)
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Execution
  • Extreme Violence
  • Fire
  • Forced Blood Draining
  • Genocide
  • Gore
  • Hangings
  • Hostages
  • Illness
  • Kidnapping
  • Language/Cursing
  • Lifechanging Injury
  • Mass Death
  • Microaggressions
  • Mind alteration
  • Mind Control
  • Murder
  • Mutilation
  • Mutilation of Corpses
  • Nightmares about Traumatic Events
  • Paralyzation
  • Prejudice
  • Racism
  • Scars
  • Sexual Predator
  • Small Spaces (Claustrophobia)
  • Spiders
  • Torture
  • Violence

Some of these triggers can be altered and some are things that can not be removed from the game. We will discuss possibilities of removing some through session. Otherwise we will be using Safety Tools listed below for triggers that come up in game.

Safety Tools

Tools

Because the game may explore certain themes that might not be for everyone as the game progresses, there will be safety tools in place. We will go over what a no go things in the game during our session zero but in case something still comes up here are the tools we will use.

X N O CARD​

We will be using a variation of the X card that allows someone to anonymously stop the game if you feel comfortable to clicking the X card symbol. The game will stop, without questions, and move on to the next scene.

Debriefing

At the end of each session we will have a debriefing. You can tell the group of the things that you think went well and things that could change or improved. 

Open Door

You will always be able to contact me through Discord, or StartPlaying of any concerns you have. This can also be used to help develop the story of your character and not just issues within the game. I do run multiple games during the week, so I will try to respond as fast as I can.

Story

Background

Since Strahd is the central figure of this campaign, I recommend keeping your character’s background simple and focused. Your character is trapped in Barovia, so long-term goals tied to the outside world are unlikely to be fulfilled. Instead, aim for short-term, flexible goals and highlight what makes your character exceptional. Something Strahd would want to break. Strahd seeks a worthy successor, someone who mirrors his ambition, cunning, and darkness. He tests people to see if they can match his strength. To withstand him, your character needs something to hold onto. A symbol of hope, a tether to home, a reason to fight back. So design your backstory with these in mind as a very beginner adventurer.

Rules

Character Creation

Have a character in mind but make sure to be flexible to change the idea. Character Creation will happen during Session 0. This way everyone knows who is doing what. It can also allow for players to create characters with relationships/backgrounds together. The following rules are below:

  • Start at Level 2
  • Use Point Buy
  • All classes fine
  • 2024 rules, you can use 2014 subclasses using 2024 rules
  • All spells available but we will use 2024 versions of updated spells
  • All lineages are fine but will use 2024 updated versions
  • If you plan on multi classing check with me so we can add story elements to make it happen
  • Homebrew content MUST be run by me first. 

Your character can be from any realm / world and then brought the demi-plane of Barovia. Because of this the options of character designs are nearly endless. 

Rules

General Game Rules

  • PvP is NOT allowed and ONLY acceptable if it moves the story and both players consent to it (this includes stealing from some one or something similar)
  • Be respectful to one another
  • Do not request roll a check, instead role-play out what you want and if a check is required then the DM will request one.
  • Have fun! Enjoy yourself and take in the stories we are telling together.