Mists of Barovia. Low magic Gothic horror Curse of Stradh

Game will start after the holidays, Hopefully we can hold session 0 the first Friday in January

The classic Gothic horror themed Curse of Stradh in a more low magic, sword and sorcery style. Where magic is rare, chaotic, dangerous, and more often wielded by villains, rather than an universal tool.
Magic is not an everyday occurrence. When it appears in combat, it is fearsome, often involving mind-affecting spells or dark rituals rather than flashy, common fireballs.

A world that is Gritty, violent, dark morally grey, and adventurous, with mature themes. where the stakes are more focused on Personal (wealth, honour, survival, revenge) rather than the high fantasy epic world saving quests

So if you are looking for a game where the party rely more on martial prowess, tactics and their whit more than on magic.
or where you actually feel special if you are wielding magic. Then This might be for you.

Magic is still available for PC's but limited and less reliable.
Half caster classes like hunter and paladins do exist. while full caster classes will be either non existent or limited. This will be decided on session 0 by the party.

A low magic setting significantly affects both the gameplay and the world within your campaign.

Importance of Non-Magical Skills
● Medicine Checks: Healing through medicine becomes crucial. Encourage players to invest in the Medicine skill and carry healer's kits.
● Herbalism and Alchemy: Creating poultices, remedies, and alchemical items gains prominence.
● Martial Skills: Combat relies more on physical prowess, tactics, and weapon mastery.
● Survival and Hunting: Gathering food, tracking, and wilderness survival might become essential skills.
● Tool Proficiencies: More emphasize on the use of tools like Thieves' Tools, Carpenter's Tools, and Smith's Tools.

Magic exists but is rare, unpredictable, and often unreliable. Magical items are scarce, and spellcasting is challenging
.
Gameplay Adjustments

Spellcasting: Players can attempt to cast spells but must overcome the environment's resistance to magic.

Material components: will be crucial for spellcasting. Gone is component purse and standard spellcasting focus. Some spellcasting fucuses might exist allowing spellcasting without components but at an increased difficulty

Magic Items: Magical items require activation checks to function and may fail in low magic areas.
Passive Magic: Ever-magical items (like permanent torches) simply do not function.

Full caster classes will be either restricted or completely removed, this will be decided on session 0. Where we decide how rare and limited magic will be.
But i want the party's input on this

This game will require payment to the Game Master at a rate of $20 per player and session. Paid via Startplaing. Roll20 is not responsible for any payment transactions and cannot enforce any private arrangements

Link to the game on Startplaying https://startplaying.games/adventure/cmjcuelhy00gdjo049lugee4k

If you do not have a Starplaying account sign up here and get a $10 credit https://startplaying.games/referral/ckqo2gzfy23o4bopkamba7goz

It is free to join and a good place to find games. and they take care of payment in an easy and safe way. you never have to share any payment information with me

This is also an 18+ game

Character creation We will be making characters on session 0 and we will be using the 2014 rules with a free feat at level 1 and homebrew rules for the low magic setting.
Races will be limited to "Humanish" races, humans, half elves, half orcs, halflings, dwarves and such