On February I will be starting The Curse of Strahd with my D&D group, and it is the first time I have ever DM in my life, I just recently started playing D&D (about 1 - 2 years ago) I personally chose this Adventure because I loved the Lore and Horror elements. We will start with Death House, but I will love to read any suggestions, cool plot twists or recommendations anyone can give. I am an open book, so everything will be considered just so I can make this fun, interactive and exciting for myself and my group.
I've never run it my self but I have read it a bit!
1. From what I have heard, read, and seen of Death House, its incredibly dangerous for level 1 characters and can VERY easily lead to an early TPK
2. Make sure all your players are on board for a horror adventure. Horror in DnD can be weird since PC's can usually handle most threats (maybe after a few levels or so) The only way I can see horror working is if the players WANT it to be spooky. They'll have to "play along" with the atmosphere and roll with your creepy vibes or Strahd von Zarovich will be come Count Chocula lol
3. There are some pretty heavy themes in the story that some may not be ok with. Make sure everyone's on board, or that you read and edit more sensitive content beforehand
4. The tarot reading can drastically change the flow of the game. some people are diehard randomizer fans, and others prefer to fix the results, either way, look in advance the implications of certain items being in certain places. (i did a test read of this and ended up with ALMOST every item/person IN Strahd's castle)
I agree with LeBattery Make sure your players are ok with everything in the story. You don't need to reveal anything to ask them if they are okay with certain themes.
But I have run this before, its a great story and I think you'll really like it. I hope it goes well! Good luck!
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May your blades stay ever sharp, and your minds as well.
DM: you party is approached by a bug bear.
Newbie: that sounds terrifying its like a bear with wings and pincers!
Veteran No, Its a...
DM: *scribbling furiously* The bugbears mandibles click furiously, everybody roll initiative!
I am just in the process of finishing up CoS - there are only a couple of big battles left when the characters get around to them. It is generally well written. However, it presses a lot of hot button issues depending on the individuals involved and their toleration for horror and related issues. There are a number of situations and circumstances in CoS that are "horrific" and you should check indirectly if you can to see if they might bother any of your players.
I found this following disclaimer in another thread, I don't know the original author but it is generally accurate.
"Curse of Strahd, as-written, is full of disturbing and graphic content. If you are potentially triggered by elements of child abuse, murder, stalking, gaslighting, racism, torture, mind control, cannibalism, situations paralleling sexual assault, child death, references to stillbirth/miscarriage, abuse of those with disabilities or mental illness, animal cruelty, body horror, child abandonment, portrayals of alcoholism or drug abuse, potential incest, implied necrophilia, or suicide, speak with your DM about potentially working around or entirely avoiding these elements."
I have a post in another thread going over some spoilers which covers some of the situations in CoS that some might have trouble dealing with.
I'm not trying to discourage you from running it but you might need to keep an eye on the content and make sure your players are cool with it.
I had a group of experienced players go through the Death House with no real issues. The characters should be level 2 about midway through and level 3 when they leave. However, some of the encounters in the death house can be deadly to level 1 or 2 characters (especially the basement) depending on how you run them or if your party is too inexperienced so it might take a little bit of a balancing act on your part to get them through.
Hello Everyone
On February I will be starting The Curse of Strahd with my D&D group, and it is the first time I have ever DM in my life, I just recently started playing D&D (about 1 - 2 years ago) I personally chose this Adventure because I loved the Lore and Horror elements. We will start with Death House, but I will love to read any suggestions, cool plot twists or recommendations anyone can give. I am an open book, so everything will be considered just so I can make this fun, interactive and exciting for myself and my group.
Thank You!!!!
I've never run it my self but I have read it a bit!
1. From what I have heard, read, and seen of Death House, its incredibly dangerous for level 1 characters and can VERY easily lead to an early TPK
2. Make sure all your players are on board for a horror adventure. Horror in DnD can be weird since PC's can usually handle most threats (maybe after a few levels or so) The only way I can see horror working is if the players WANT it to be spooky. They'll have to "play along" with the atmosphere and roll with your creepy vibes or Strahd von Zarovich will be come Count Chocula lol
3. There are some pretty heavy themes in the story that some may not be ok with. Make sure everyone's on board, or that you read and edit more sensitive content beforehand
4. The tarot reading can drastically change the flow of the game. some people are diehard randomizer fans, and others prefer to fix the results, either way, look in advance the implications of certain items being in certain places. (i did a test read of this and ended up with ALMOST every item/person IN Strahd's castle)
I agree with LeBattery Make sure your players are ok with everything in the story. You don't need to reveal anything to ask them if they are okay with certain themes.
But I have run this before, its a great story and I think you'll really like it. I hope it goes well! Good luck!
May your blades stay ever sharp, and your minds as well.
DM: you party is approached by a bug bear.
Newbie: that sounds terrifying its like a bear with wings and pincers!
Veteran No, Its a...
DM: *scribbling furiously* The bugbears mandibles click furiously, everybody roll initiative!
I am just in the process of finishing up CoS - there are only a couple of big battles left when the characters get around to them. It is generally well written. However, it presses a lot of hot button issues depending on the individuals involved and their toleration for horror and related issues. There are a number of situations and circumstances in CoS that are "horrific" and you should check indirectly if you can to see if they might bother any of your players.
I found this following disclaimer in another thread, I don't know the original author but it is generally accurate.
"Curse of Strahd, as-written, is full of disturbing and graphic content. If you are potentially triggered by elements of child abuse, murder, stalking, gaslighting, racism, torture, mind control, cannibalism, situations paralleling sexual assault, child death, references to stillbirth/miscarriage, abuse of those with disabilities or mental illness, animal cruelty, body horror, child abandonment, portrayals of alcoholism or drug abuse, potential incest, implied necrophilia, or suicide, speak with your DM about potentially working around or entirely avoiding these elements."
I have a post in another thread going over some spoilers which covers some of the situations in CoS that some might have trouble dealing with.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/dungeon-masters-only/92958-curse-of-strahd-death-house-silly-question?comment=5
I'm not trying to discourage you from running it but you might need to keep an eye on the content and make sure your players are cool with it.
I had a group of experienced players go through the Death House with no real issues. The characters should be level 2 about midway through and level 3 when they leave. However, some of the encounters in the death house can be deadly to level 1 or 2 characters (especially the basement) depending on how you run them or if your party is too inexperienced so it might take a little bit of a balancing act on your part to get them through.
Not sure if you're still looking for players but if so I'm willing to play