It began with strangers in brightly colored wagons — music, laughter, and the scent of exotic spices drifting through the air. They called themselves Vistani, travelers from a distant, hidden land. One evening, they camped just outside Daggerford, their firelight casting strange, dancing shadows. Duchess Morwen of Daggerford has invited you to dinner as she discusses with you these strangers. Why are they here? When do they leave?

Going over to investigate your are welcomed as they mean no harm. They have a story to tell, if you listen to their story, they agree to leave Daggerford behind them. So you join arround their dancing flames and listen intently. As the fire dances to picture the story being told.

“A curse has befallen our noble prince, turning him into a tyrant. We alone have the power to leave his domain. We’ve traveled far and wide to find heroes such as yourselves to end our dread lord’s curse and put his troubled soul to rest. Our leader, Madam Eva, knows all. Will you return to Barovia with us and speak with her?”

They also hand you a sealed letter — the beginning of a journey that may end in glory… or death.

Welcome to Curse of Strahd, a gothic horror Dungeons & Dragons campaign hosted at GameForce Eindhoven. Step into a land where the sun no longer rises, where werewolves howl in the woods, and the vampire lord watches from his castle high above.

You are not just invited.
You are expected.

The story continues.

2nd Session of Hold my beer, will pick up where we left off! everyone is welcome, even if you were not able to join the first session!

Silver waters is a small village that does business up and down Harp River. About 50 families support the merchant boats that stop for food and water supplies at the midway point between the port cities of Blue Shard and Ocean's Gate. But once a year, Ale Fest turns this sleepy little village into a gathering of more than 5,000 visitors (and growing) who come for the games, the songs and to witness the naming of the realm's best ale, earning its creator the Brewer's Prize. 

For the last 10 years, Ale Fest has become a significant celebration, with taverns sending representatives to find ales that will bolster their business. Durning its early years, the village started hiring qualified guards to keep thieves away and quell the inevitable drunken brawls, and the festival grounds have a strict "no weapons" policy since. Families come for the food, the tavern games and a chance to break the monotony of small town life, while adventurers from all over visit to compete in games, enjoy a day's respite from the dangers of heroism-for-hire and (let's face it) raise a pint of three of well-deserved ale. 

The event lasts for one week, with the winner of the Brewer's Prize selected on the final day. The entire event takes place in a roped-off grassy area to the immediate east of the village. Weapons must be checekd at the entrance, and any violation of this rule is swiftly dealt with by the 70+ guards patrolling the commons area. 

You, as an established adventuring party, have heard about this festival on your travels through the country and decided you are deserving of a rest. Not only that, but the place will be brimming with other adventurers who carry news of the world, wizards with knowledge to share, and wealthy patrons with maps and details of long lost ruins who are looking to hire adventurers. On your way there you encounter a handful of merchants talking about a rumor that a living, breathing dragon will attend the festival.

The following is applied for this twoshot:

• This is an adventure for level 5 characters.
• When making your own characters please use Standard Array or Point Buy, and Average HP.
• All published 5e rulebooks for character creation are allowed, including 2014 content, and 2024 content Tasha's lineages and optional class features.
• If you use 2014 content you can add an extra feat to your character, to even the difference.
• Ready to play, simplified 5th level character sheets will be available upon request. Please message me ahead of time here or on Discord. [_skyeisthelimit]

Disclaimer: I have not run a table with 2024 content before, so it is as much a learning experience for me as for you! We will make it fun!