CURSE OF STRAHD

🦇 Hope Dies Here...

Welcome to a world where the sun provides no warmth and the mists never truly lift. You have been pulled from your home into the Domain of Dread, a fractured realm ruled by the iron will of Count Strahd von Zarovich. This isn't just a quest to slay a monster; it is a psychological struggle to maintain your humanity while the land itself tries to break you.

🎬 What is the "Director's Cut"?

This is not your standard run of Barovia. I have seamlessly integrated the absolute best community overhauls (such as DragnaCarta, MandyMod, and Lunch Break Heroes) alongside expanded lore to provide a truly unique experience. You can expect:

• Rebalanced Combat: I have fixed the notorious low-level "meatgrinders" to ensure a tough but fair survival experience.
• Narrative Cohesion: Relying heavily on Rules As Written (RAW), I have solved commonly problematic areas and tied up loose narrative ends.
• Character-Driven: Your backstory is woven directly into the dark history and political intrigue of the valley.

⚔️ Character Creation & Rules

We begin our journey at Level 1 within the unsettling walls of Durst Manor. I provide a FREE Session 0 to walk you through character creation!

• Progression: Milestone leveling tied to major narrative achievements.
• Stats: 27-Point Buy. Max HP at Level 1. Encumbrance rules are active to heighten the survival-horror feel.
• Allowed Sources: All official 2014 5e books (via my shared D&D Beyond library).
• Generous Starting Gear: Barovia is deadly. You start with standard class gear PLUS: 1 Healing Potion, 1 Common Magic Item (fitting your backstory), and 1 Gothic Trinket (pure flavor).

🎲 Optional Homebrew Rules

We will vote on these mechanics during Session 0 to heighten the suspense:

• Blind Checks: Stealth or Perception rolled blindly to the DM to prevent meta-gaming.
• Hidden Death Saves: Rolled privately between the player and DM to keep party stakes incredibly high.
• Critical Initiative: A Natural 20 allows you to choose your exact place in the turn order.

🛡️ Safety & Content Warnings

My tables have a zero-tolerance policy for hostility. We use Lines & Veils, the Monte Cook Consent Checklist, and X/N/O cards. Your comfort matters; we are here to be terrified by the game, not each other.

Click to view all Content Warnings for this campaign

• Abuse (Emotional/Physical)
• Blood & Gore
• Body Horror
• Character/Animal Death
• Child Abandonment/Death
• Cults & Demons/Fiends

• Drugs/Alcohol (Addiction/Use)
• Extreme Violence / Execution
• Kidnapping & Hostages
• Mind Control / Alteration
• Mutilation & Scars
• Suicide & Trauma
• Spiders, Snakes & Insects