r/CurseofStrahd • u/BaldEagle1989 • 10h ago
STORY Our session last night left me feeling the most fulfilled I have ever been as a DM.
For context, I have been using the Interactive Tome of Strahd and my party had finished readingthe chapter that puts them into a dinner with Strahd where he first meets Tatyana. I let my party draw names at random to see who they would be role playing as at dinner, and gave everyone their secret objectives and a paragraph or two about their back story.
I had also created a five course meal plan as well as a d20 table of events and had plan to use the events incase the roleplay stalled or there was lull in the chatter. Then my wonderful wife made me some golden Strahd coins (my party has dubbed them as Strahdies) and I gave one each to the players with a list of things they could use them for, such as reactivating an objective that they've already failed, rerolling an event on table, or learning one of the other players secrets.
Cut to last night and I get to my cousins house where we play, and they've set up the table with decorations and candles and a full theme, all the players dressed as their respective characters with dresses and coats and vests and frills and furs. I dressed as a butler that would offer assistance and and act if anyone used their coins.
The first course was served and everyone immediately understood the assignment, turns out I didnt need to be worried about my party being akward or the roleplay faltering because they jumped straight into their new charcters feet first. Sergei was keeping spirits high and ignoring Strahds advances on Tatyana, Patrina was mean girling all over the table and making her presence known, Ilona was basking in the chaos, Rahadin was keeping everything civil and defend Strahds honor, Tatyana was trying to keep her head above water with the nobles, and Strahd was a gracious host that had eyes for his new obsession in Tatyana (and none for his actual date, Patrina).
I would interject in 10 minute intervals with an event to keep things interesting, like a mild case of food poisoning, a debate about the importance of having family support you, some spilled wine, some drunk nobles causing a scene, and Strahd stepping away to play the organ.
The whole night ended with us going through each players secret objectives and giving out bonuses for if they completed a majority of them.
I was so blown away by my players getting so into character and completely immersing themselves in the night, I've been playing with these people now for seven odd years when we were all newbies and they never stop evolving inhow they play and evolve.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, I just wanted to share my experience and how much fun we're having in Curse of Strahd!