Curse of Strahd is a horror-themed Dungeons & Dragons adventure module. It is set in the fictional land of Barovia, a gothic setting ruled by the vampire Strahd von Zarovich. Players assume the role of adventurers who are trapped in Barovia and must find a way to escape. The main idea of Curse of Strahd is that the players are trapped in a dark and dangerous realm ruled by a powerful vampire. They must navigate the treacherous landscape filled with evil creatures and tormented souls while uncovering the secrets of Strahd's curse. One of the key features of Curse of Strahd is its gothic horror theme.
The sandbox nature of the campaign has its usual ups and downs. Luckily, Curse of Strahd does have a handy table giving a suggested appropriate level for each section, making the DM’s life a little easier. There is still a fine line to be walked, however, between ‘forcing’ the PCs to go to the level-appropriate places and letting the party march to certain doom. There may be some situations where the PCs have the opportunity to flee, but the DM will need to make sure that the players understand that this is an option. While the book encourages the DM to lean towards letting the players wander into things, it’s ultimately counterproductive to let the characters walk into a new region and then trigger some lightning trap that will kill the whole party (oh, and there are traps everywhere, if you like that sort of thing). The rewards for this sort of campaign can be high, but they can require the DM to put in a little more effort to steer things without feeling like they’re steering things.
There may be some situations where the PCs have the opportunity to flee, but the DM will need to make sure that the players understand that this is an option. maps containing information for the Dungeon Master DM only and with all locations pre-linked to story entries which may contain additional DM notes, boxed text, encounters, images and treasure parcels.
One of the key features of Curse of Strahd is its gothic horror theme. The module is heavily inspired by classic horror literature, incorporating elements such as haunted houses, forbidden love, and tragic backstories. The atmosphere of dread and unease is a significant aspect of the campaign, creating a dark and foreboding setting for the players to explore.
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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.
Dungeon Masters purchasing this module can use it to run the adventure with very little prep, other than reading through the adventure in advance. Some additional time should be planned to understand the Tarokka deck mechanics and how they affect the story depending on what is drawn. The random table uses the new Roll to Story mechanic so that your results will be remembered from session to session and easily referenced later.
- the entire contents of Curse of Strahd adventure
- image handouts that can be shared with players collectively or individually
- maps containing information for the Dungeon Master (DM) only and with all locations pre-linked to story entries which may contain additional DM notes, boxed text, encounters, images and treasure parcels
- maps with all hidden information removed and resized for use as tactical combat maps. * The maps of the interior of Castle Ravenloft are presented in an isometric format that won't align with a typical top-down map format.
- tokens for many of the monsters in the module. When no token is available, a letter token is used to represent the NPC
- XP for encounters that can be dragged to the party sheet and awarded to the players as they complete them
- Searchable monster indexes by CR, type and in alphabetical order
Recommended: one or more of the following modules: D&D Complete Core Class Pack or D&D Character Customization Pack and the D&D Complete Monster Pack
The central antagonist, Strahd von Zarovich, is a compelling and complex character. He is both a formidable foe and a tragic figure, cursed to live forever as a vampire. His motivations and desires drive much of the plot, and players must navigate the dangerous politics and power struggles of Barovia to stand a chance against him. The campaign is designed to be challenging, with numerous deadly encounters and difficult choices for the players to make. Success is not guaranteed, and characters may die along the way. However, the module also offers opportunities for redemption and a chance to free Barovia from Strahd's curse. Overall, Curse of Strahd is a rich and immersive adventure module that offers a unique and challenging experience for players. Its gothic horror theme, complex antagonist, and intricate plot make it a popular choice for those looking for a darker and more intense Dungeons & Dragons campaign..
Reviews for "Murder House: Investigating Strahd's Grisly Crimes in Barovia"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I found Curse of Stradh to be extremely difficult and frustrating. The campaign felt unbalanced and overly punishing, with too many encounters that seemed impossible to overcome. The story was also confusing and convoluted, making it hard to follow and engage with. Overall, I was disappointed with the module and felt like it wasn't worth the time and effort to play.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - Curse of Stradh was a complete letdown for me. The campaign was filled with cliche and tired horror tropes, lacking any originality or creativity. The characters and NPCs felt one-dimensional, and the plot was predictable and uninteresting. Additionally, the pacing was slow and dragged on, making it difficult to stay engaged. I wouldn't recommend this module to anyone looking for a unique and engaging D&D experience.
3. Mike - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to play Curse of Stradh, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The campaign was filled with frustrating and unfair challenges that seemed designed to kill off characters rather than promote fun and engaging gameplay. It felt like the module was more concerned with being difficult rather than providing a compelling story or enjoyable role-playing opportunities. I found myself frustrated and uninterested, and ultimately, this module fell flat for me.