I am looking for four players to help me build a dark, collaborative story centered on a reimagined version of the 5e module "Curse of Strahd." This campaign is for people who love the theatrical side of TTRPGs and want to dive deep into a world where every character has a complex story to tell.

The Campaign

Our journey begins on the familiar roads of Faerun, where a standard quest takes a sudden, chilling turn. As the mists rise to claim you, you will find yourself cast into a land that feels stripped of its spark. You arrive at Level 2 with nothing but the clothes on your back and will be forced to scavenge for survival in a valley where the very air feels heavy with a centuries-old grief.

In Barovia, you are an outsider in a kingdom that has resigned itself to despair. You must navigate the whims of a Dark Lord who views himself as the land itself. Along the way, you will uncover fragments of a past rooted in blood and betrayal, but in a world built on obsession and deceit, truth is the most elusive treasure of all.

Inspiration and Tone

The atmosphere of this campaign is rooted in a visceral, somber brand of Gothic horror. I want to explore the beauty within the bleakness and the heavy cost of maintaining one's humanity. Our narrative is guided by several key influences:

• The Phantom of the Opera: This serves as a study of unhealthy obsession and the calculated manipulation of a man desperately, and at times violently, trying to be loved.
• Castlevania (Netflix): This inspires our gritty world-building and the feeling of a world burdened by the weight of ancient, decaying magic.
• Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: A core theme is the duality of the soul and the internal struggle between the person we present to the world and the shadows we hide.
• Elfen Lied: This influences the emotional toll of survival and the crushing reality of a world where psychological safety has been stripped away.

While the setting is dark, I want it to be clear that this is not a journey of total hopelessness. We will find moments of levity and warmth. The story relies on the party working together to foster a dimming spark of joy and creating small pockets of light and humanity to keep the darkness at bay.

Gameplay Style

• Roleplay Heavy: This game is a great fit for fans of improv. We will weave your character’s personal goals directly into the heart of the campaign.
• Intense Combat: Encounters often have multiple objectives. I encourage players to find interesting and creative solutions to the challenges they face.
• System: We are playing on Foundry VTT using D&D 2024 rules. Discord will be used for video and voice chat.

Logistics

• Schedule: Weekly on Saturdays with one Saturday off per month.
• Sessions: 2.5 to 3 hours. We will finalize the start time once the group is together.
• Dates: Session Zero is May 23rd. The first session is June 6th.
• Requirements: A quality microphone is required. Webcams are preferred for roleplay, but it is okay to stay off-camera on days when you just aren't feeling it.

Who is a Good Fit

Because this story deals with heavy themes and deep emotional resonance, I am looking for players who are ready to commit to a mature, collaborative environment. I am looking for players who meet these qualifications:

• Age 21 or Older: Specific age does not matter. The goal is to have the group develop great chemistry over time, so having a group around a similar age would make things easier.
• Tech Ready: You have a working webcam and a quality microphone. You are also comfortable being recorded and allowing the video being posted in an unlisted Youtube playlist for notetaking purposes.
• VTT Familiarity: Experience with Foundry VTT is a plus, but as long as you are familiar with VTT platforms, I can help you learn.
• Enthusiastic Collaborator: You enjoy improv, sharing the spotlight, and building a shared story with the other players. You also see "failure" and "flaws" as a creative challenge to add depth to the narrative.
• Team-Oriented: You prioritize the group's fun and narrative cohesion. You understand that actions that harm other players or the story for the sake of "what my character would do" are not a fit for this table.
• Respectful and Safe: You are LGBTQ+ friendly and accepting of people from all backgrounds. This table is a firm bigotry-free zone.
• Mature and Thoughtful: You are comfortable exploring serious, sometimes politically adjacent topics within the fantasy setting.
• Invested: You often take notes, cheer for other players' cool moments, and love solving a good mystery.

Session Zero

We will begin with a consent form to make sure everyone is comfortable with the horror elements. Then we will build characters in Foundry, run a tutorial for the software, and talk more about the specific themes of the campaign.

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The Application Process

If this sounds like the game for you, the application process is straightforward. We'll start with a written application. From there, we'll schedule a short video call. This is not just for us to interview you; it's also a chance for you to ask us questions and see if we're the right group for you. It will also let us do a quick camera and microphone check and, most importantly, have a vibe check.

If you're interested, please fill out the application form here:

https://forms.gle/1PmTcdvKJUxHGLNt5

The application will close on Wednesday, May 13th. I look forward to hearing from you soon!