Game:  D&D 5e Group type:  Online Experience: No experience necessary! New players welcome! Location/Timezone: Online, GMT +1 Schedule: There are four different timeslots: Tuesday: 10.15 PM GMT+1/ 4.15 PM EST Startplaying (full) Thursday: 9.20 PM GMT +1/ 3.20 PM EST Startplaying (full) Friday: 8 PM GMT +1/ 2 PM EST   Startplaying (one spot open) Saturday: 10.30 PM GMT+1/ 4.30 PM EST Startplaying (one-two spots open) Roles sought: 3-5 Players per game Game style: A well-balanced blend of D&D's three pillars: engaging tactical combat, immersive exploration and survival challenges, and rich, character-driven roleplaying. Cost: 20$ (USD) per player per session paid through PayPal or Ko-fi. Alternatively 20$ (USD) per player per session paid through Startplaying . About the adventure “Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me.” - Shakespeare The ancient prophecy tightens its grip on the cursed lands of Barovia, its claws sinking ever deeper into this ill-fated place. Under a rare, cloudless sky, the moon casts an eerie, silvery light across the ancient forest, the towering mountains, and the little villages in all their desolated glory. From the towering spires of Castle Ravenloft, Count Strahd von Zarovich surveys his domain, his presence as cold and commanding as the eternal night that blankets Barovia. Something stirs in the stagnant air—a tension, sharp and electric, like the moments before a storm unleashes its fury. The mist churns, and from its spectral depths emerge dazed figures, strangers to this haunted realm. Poor, lost lambs, trembling with fear, they stagger along the derelict road. Above, thunder cracks with the manic peals of a mad god’s laughter, echoing across the desolate countryside. These newcomers bring change to Barovia’s dark stillness—but will their arrival bring salvation or deeper ruin to this land of sorrow? Curse of Strahd stands as one of Dungeons & Dragons’ most celebrated adventures, a gothic horror tale steeped in darkness and moral ambiguity. Survival demands cunning, resourcefulness, and the forging of uneasy alliances. In Barovia, there are no heroes clad in shining armor—only shades of gray, where each choice carves a deeper scar into the soul. This module runs from level 1 to 12, with an estimated 40-50 sessions of gameplay. Prepare to face horrors both within and without, and steel yourself for an unforgettable journey through the shadows.   How to prepare & What I provide All you’ll need to join is a good microphone, a reliable internet connection, and a Foundry account (don't worry it is free). Once you’re set up, simply hop into the Discord server, where you’ll find all the resources and support to get started. Immersive Visuals and Atmospheric Audio: With custom-crafted maps and immersive soundscapes, you’ll feel the weight of Barovia’s shadowy mysteries. Visual aids bring even the most abstract scenes to life, keeping you fully engaged with every unfolding twist and creeping revelation. Player-Centered Narrative Freedom: Your choices matter. My games are built around player decisions, creating a narrative that evolves with your actions. Whether you forge alliances or sow discord, your influence shapes the story’s path, ensuring every session feels meaningful and dynamic. Supportive and Inclusive Play Environment: Your comfort and enjoyment are my priority. With tools like Session Zero, ongoing chats before and after games, and one-on-one debriefs, I ensure everyone feels included and respected. Safety tools are in place to create a collaborative space where you can focus on the adventure without hesitation. A Meaningful Farewell: Whether your character falls to the perils of the adventure or survives to see its conclusion, their story will not be forgotten. Characters who have journeyed through at least eight sessions will be immortalized in a custom painting, preserving their memory and legacy for all time. Their tale will live on, etched in art and tribute. Gameplay details We’ll start with a session Zero, where we’ll create characters together. Don’t worry if you’re unsure about anything—this session is designed to help and guide you. It’s also a chance to build a connected party, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable game experience for everyone. You’ll have until the end of session zero to finalize your character, so there’s plenty of flexibility to tweak or rework your ideas. If you’d prefer, I can also provide pre-generated characters for you to use—just let me know. We’ll be using an open-door approach and incorporating aftercare into our sessions. If anything makes you uncomfortable, you can pause, step away, or message me privately. We’ll adapt the game as needed to maintain a comfortable and welcoming environment. After each session, we’ll take time to check in with everyone to make sure you’re feeling okay and address any concerns. Content warnings Abuse Alcohol Use Animal Death Blood Body Horror Character Death Child Death Death Devils / Demons / Fiends Domestic Abuse Emotional Abuse Fire Kidnapping Language/Cursing Mass Death Mind Control Murder Nightmares about Traumatic Events Mutilation of Corpses Suicide Torture Trauma Violence Violence against Children Safety tools used Aftercare Open Door Session 0 X, N, and O Cards How will character creation work The group will collectively decide whether to roll for stats or use the point-buy system, ensuring everyone is on the same page. All characters will begin at level one, setting the stage for your journey from humble beginnings to greatness. Everyone gets a free feat at level 1 which means that variant human, custom lineage & everything else that would give you a free feat at level one is banned. We'll be using Forge for character creation, where you’ll find almost everything you need, including fully customizable dice.   How to join You can join the game by clicking the links that take you to the listing on Startplaying. Alternatively, you can send me a dm (here or on discord lino90) with your preferred timeslot. Regardless of how you join please include the following: Your name: Your Discord username: Your online D&D experience: none/beginner/intermediate/expert Your overall D&D experience: none/beginner/intermediate/expert What are you looking for in a gaming experience? You have read the content warnings and fully understand that is a dark game where even a victory could feel hollow. Tell me a little bit about your proposed character, such as race and class. (It's alright if you don't know, we can workshop it together.)