Phandalin is an old style frontier town that has grown up around the old ruins of the abandoned town that once stood before. Most of the buildings are single story dwellings except for the Stonehill Inn which has an upstairs floor for visitors and guests of the inn. The buildings are of stone and wood frame while the entrance to town is no more than an old dirt road. There is a small area of green at the centre of housing area as well as a small orchard within the grounds of the town. The areas to the west and south include small farmsteads while the old Tresendar Manor stands dilapidated on the hill to the east overlooking the town. 

Adventurers are mysteriously drawn to the realm of Barovia which is surrounded by deadly fog and ruled by the vampire wizard Strahd von Zarovich. This gothic horror adventure takes the players on a course through Barovia that culminates with a vampire hunt inside Castle Ravenloft. Using a deck of tarokka cards, the Dungeon Master can randomize parts of the adventure such as the identity of a powerful ally, the placement of important magic items across Barovia, and Strahd's location within Castle Ravenloft.