Curse of Strahd: Thief of Souls (Session 1)

64fe328d21059 bpfull
EJ Boston
5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5

$30.00 / week

GM Playstyle

Leans Exploration

Game Attributes

Dark FantasyHorror

System

Dungeons & Dragons 5th ed

Technical

Discord Video/Audio
6 of 6 seats available
Next session:

About the Adventure

About the Adventure

Unravel the mysteries of Ravenloft in this dread adventure for the world’s greatest roleplaying game.

Under raging storm clouds, the vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich stands silhouetted against the ancient walls of Castle Ravenloft. Rumbling thunder pounds the castle spires. The wind’s howling increases as he turns his gaze down toward the village of Barovia.

Far below, yet not beyond his keen eyesight, a party of adventurers has just entered his domain. Strahd’s face forms the barest hint of a smile as his dark plan unfolds. He knew they were coming, and he knows why they came—all according to his plan.

A lightning flash rips through the darkness, but Strahd is gone. Only the howling of the wind fills the midnight air. The master of Castle Ravenloft is having guests for dinner. And you are invited.

 

Dark Souls Variant

This game utilizes the Dark Souls variant for 5th edition gameplay. Become Hollowed, losing your lifespark upon character death. After death, retrieve your souls in order to advance your character level and empower you to take down powerful foes. But be careful, holding on to your lifespark for too long will attract the attention of hunters.

No prior knowledge necessary.

 

How to Prepare

Consider what kind of character you would like to play, but hold your ideas with flexibility. Together, the group will finalize character concepts and create characters during the first session.

Ensure that you have a working mic/headset and webcam (optional, but encouraged).

Create an account at dndbeyond.com

Please join the Discord server upon registration.

 

Materials Provided

The GM will provide you with access to all materials on dndbeyond.

Syrinscape will be available for game immersion.

In addition to the game-specific Discord server, you will be added to the EJ RPG server and become part of a growing community of like-minded people.

 

Who will like this game?

Fans of the Strahd, Van Helsing, Dracula, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne will enjoy this game; players of TTRPGs, and people who want to live an intense and dramatic story of character’s personal development will enjoy this game.

The campaign emphasizes exploration with combat and roleplay falling second and third (in that order); the group composition will help shape the balance in the direction that the players most prefer. EJ typically runs high-exploration games with ample opportunity to roleplay.

If you like contributing to a live and responsive world and the possibility of failure with real-world consequences, you will like this game.

If you would like to explore themes of centuries-long evil and the consequences of evil, you will like this game.

If you would like to find the light in the darkness and enjoy humor despite sorrow, you will like this game.

 

Character Creation Guidelines

Consider what kind of character you would like to play, but hold your ideas with flexibility. Together, the group will finalize character concepts and create characters during the first session.

All official 5e content is available for use (core, non-core, and Tal’Dorei).

Homebrew content may be used upon approval. Kobold Press materials are pre-approved.

Barovia is a particular realm within the Dungeons and Dragons multiverse, and you may wish to pay particular attention to Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft.

Small backstories (or concepts) are encouraged, 3-10 sentences.

 

Gameplay Themes/Content Warnings

This campaign explores themes of desolation, genocide, slavery, prejudice, unadulterated evil, and (possibly) torture. Violence is common, described with PG-13, and occasionally R-rated description.

Reviews

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5 stars (based on 25 reviews)
Excellent100%
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5 stars - highly recommend!

Rated 5.0 out of 5
February 16, 2024

I had the good fortune of having EJ as the GM for my first ever game of D&D, and I couldn’t be happier. EJ was kind, patient, and knowledgeable as he guided us through the immersive three-day adventure. He explained game dynamics and character abilities, pivoted with ease to the decisions our group made throughout the campaign, and he was responsive both during and outside the set game times. EJ also ensured each party member had an opportunity to fully participate.

As a brand new player I appreciated that I could ask questions without being made to feel silly or that I was holding up the game. Credit also goes to the great group of adventurers on the Crusty Barnacle without who the experience would have been very different.

I highly recommend EJ as a storyteller and guide for new and experienced players alike. Bonus: he really seems to enjoy himself alongside the players!

Chris E. (verified owner)

Lots of fun being part of Delta Green (shh)

Rated 5.0 out of 5
February 8, 2024

EJ led us through a great game that felt like it was right out of a thriller movie. I felt like I was in the action and EJ’s materials storytelling really kept all of us immersed in the story. He was also great at guiding us newcomers to how the game works and it felt like the right balance between tutorial and gameplay.

Kevin (verified owner)

Great intro to a new game

Rated 5.0 out of 5
February 8, 2024

Finally had a chance to try out Delta Green, had a blast. Explanation of the rules was simple and enough to get us started quickly, and the case introduction got us into the world with ease. Largely narrative (a style I prefer), we all had plenty of opportunity to describe our actions, reactions, and thoughts as we worked to solve the mystery.

EJ did a great job with balancing making space for player narrative while still pushing the story forward.

Jeremy

Where to begin?

Rated 5.0 out of 5
February 2, 2024

To say that EJ is a good GM is an understatement. He is a great collaborative storyteller who adapts to player choices. He fosters a truly special atmosphere.

His enthusiasm creates a safe and inclusive space where everyone feels comfortable exploring their characters and contributing to the narrative. His dedication to your enjoyment shines through, making him a gem in the online DnD community.

If you’re looking for a wonderful GM who will challenge, inspire, and leave you yearning for the next adventure, connect with EJ. You won’t be disappointed.

Phoenix (verified owner)

Alien RPG - Roll for IRL Stress.

Rated 5.0 out of 5
January 21, 2024

So this was my first time ever playing the Alien RPG and EJ took my group through all the basic rulings, how to play with this new system along with how to use the software that he wanted to use to give us our sessions experience (Fantasty Grounds).

After the session started we were greated with an atmospheric soundscape and creative descriptions that enabled us to get deep into the game before all of the choas started to envelop and ensue.

I chose to be a Scientist and was turned on faster than a spit roast in a southern BBQ, having all of my fellow players become true to their characters and with EJ helping us to play through our actions even for ones that the game doesn’t overly support, meanwhile the whole time helping myself to learn to become a game M.O.T.H.E.R. myself.

Using our audio queues and laughing as a group the level of stress induced by the games mechanics and the tension of the game causing enough to make my real self induce stress and anxiety as I try to survive, I even tried to blow up my fellow colonists which was met with hiliarity and I was allowed to explain how I died in a glory of Grenade Frag and Acid Death!!

It’s very hard to find a D/GM these days that isn’t trying to push the standard social narative and he understood our group within minutes and made us all feel very comfortable, understanding our choices, social comedy levels and language levels.

I can’t thank him enough for getting us into playing this game and I hope we can do more work again together in the future, hands down a chill dude and a great time.

Shinotama
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