Unlike other Domains, the Carnival can appear wherever the DM needs it to. Van Richten's Guide contains full details on 16 other Domains of Dread, as well as brief descriptions of many others.Īn easy first step for establishing this macabre multiverse is to insert the Carnival into Barovia. All of these are randomly determined by the fortune-telling itself, which each drawn card having several different possibilities depending on which actual card is drawn.Īdding more of Barovia is a lot of work, since the DM will have to flesh out other Domains just as Curse of Strahd does with Barovia. However, doing so can be hugely rewarding, especially if the players appreciate freedom of choice and the ability to forge their own path. The fourth card leads players to a helpful NPC, and the fifth tells them where in Castle Ravenloft they can expect to fight Strahd. The first card leads to valuable information on Strahd's backstory, while the second and third point to powerful magic items. Convincing players to accept the reading isn't difficult, and once they do they'll be given five cards, each corresponding to a different objective they can undertake before confronting Strahd. The module swiftly leads the party to a Vistani encampment, where the players can have their fortunes read by Madame Eva, one of the group's elders. DMs and players can decide whether or not to start with it, but either way, players will enter Barovia proper at level three. However, the fact that things like maps, NPCs and history are included lifts much of the burden of running a campaign, which is great for those who don't want to rely too heavily on improvisation.Ĭurse of Strahd begins with an optional one-shot called Death House, a three-floor dungeon that lets players explore while advancing their characters from first to third level. Neither the destination nor the journey are controllable, and the role is more about facilitating those experiences. Both the possibilities and the choices are out of the DM's control, resulting in a process akin more to guiding a passenger boat down a stream. Playing a gothic horror module is a lot more like Bluebeard's Castle or Frankenstein it's a story for those who know there might not always be a happy ending for their characters.įor Dungeon Masters, Curse of Strahd is a wide-open expanse, full of possibilities and different stories to tell. However, part of running a module is accepting a loss of control. This adventure is dark, gritty and understated. As such, those looking for an experience reminiscent of Lord of the Rings or Skyrim shouldn't pick Curse of Strahd. This makes it far less bright and cheery than other Fifth Edition modules, many of which focus on the spirit of adventure and whimsy present in high fantasy. Curse of Strahd is a gothic horror story.
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