My gender-bending Barovia campaign!

[Zilfer]

hmm... taht doesn't seem like a win to me but if the players happy than what do i know eh? XD

I was going to say we need to commision Bing to Cosplay the female strahd! xD

[Cam]

The win was bittersweet for sure. We all knew that adventure would be the end of the campaign beforehand, and the players were expecting character deaths, which helped. But you're right, a lot of players would not be into that kind of ending to the game. IIRC the rest of the outlander PCs also escaped Ravenloft at the conclusion of that adventure and made it back to their homeworld, so overall there were some good things going on.

[Epically]

The best roleplayer I know looks through his character's eyes and does actions he believes his character would do.

In my best written, most funniest, most drama, most plot twists, most action, in fact best campaign ever - which was a Palladium Heroes Unlimited solo game, the player ended up losing all of his superpowers after saving the universe. The game ended when the character decided to leave the life of superherodem, as he hated it, and go to university and have a real life. Both the player and myself were devasted because we both loved the campaign and his character, but he assured me that's exactly how he wanted the campaign to end. His character being happy after his miserable life.

Point is, a win is how you look at it through someone else's eyes.

[Zilfer]

I completely agree which is why I will often do "stupid" things. According to character, since most of my character's would give their lives for other people.

I'm a rogue with lower AC and the fight'ers about to go down? I rush in to save my friend despite odds of not being able to hit said enemy or save them. I want to give them just enough time to fall back or be healed or we'll go down together.

Still....

Staring Bing as Female Strahd.

[Hazgarn]

(Don't ask me why, but when I thought "female Strahd" Musetta Vander was the first thing that popped into my mind.)

[Zilfer]

SINDEL!!!

[Nathan of the FoS]

Y'all are going to leave this one to me, huh.

Well, fine, here it is:

[Nemesio]

Hilarious!

Reminds me of my Munchkinloft campaign. Making fun of the camp of Ravenloft is so fun and easy.

[Dion of the Fraternity]

OVERLY ATTACHED DARKLORD

HEARD YOU DON'T LIKE GUYS ANYMORE

"S'OKAY BRAH, I GOT THIS"

SEX CHANGE

This is EXACTLY what my players said when I told them there wasn't any guarantee their players will survive the campaign.

[Jimsolo]

I have a Jersey Shore-esque group who wants me to DM their introductory Ravenloft campaign

Okay...don't panic...you can deal with this...but you'll need strychnine, some M&M's, and a 'Free Candy!' sign...


Seriously, though, good twist on an old fave! I'm enjoying the idea of making a change to the flavor of the dish without changing the core ingredients. Could be really fun!

I think it's entirely reasonable that Strahd could have a game plan to either change back into a man and have his beloved change back into a woman, but I also think it's not beyond the bounds of reason to assume that Strahd has grown beyond trivial mortal concerns like gender roles, and so long as the core pillars of his image are maintained (charismatic, not-to-be-trifled-with, and undisputed ruler of Barovia) then I think a Strahd who considers the rest of the details to be simple mortal trifles is a reasonable interpretation.

[Zilfer]

He might have to contest with male tatyana for controll however.... for males usually over rule females back then yes? Or is that ignorance on my part? o.O'

[Hazgarn]

a. We're not talking about a "back then" we're talking about a "in a land far away".
b. I'd love to see Ivana Boristi, Elena Faitholld, or Jacqueline Renier answer this question. Really.
c. Gender norms of individual domains aside, we're talking about a darklord.
d. The first darklord.
e. We are also talking about an ancient and powerful vampiric magic user and his thralled boy toy. Don't think for a second what's between Strahd's legs is going to effect the level of control that gives over the male in question.

Now, whether or not "Astrid" rules openly as Barovia's supreme ruler or decides to allow her new husband to take the spot light is a matter of personal taste, but my personal instinct is that there would be no need. As long as Astrid can command the fear of the people (and I have no doubt she still could), none of them are going to rise up just because she's got breasts.

[Zilfer]

All those can be subject to the influence of people of the domains. Obviously all those women had made men fear them. Yes Strahd could probably pull that off, but he'd have to make a new image for it, without relying on the old 'Devil Strahd' angle that all the males in the family are like that. Just personal oppinion. It'd be a bit of a 'culture shock' to have a vicious king ruling. Though if he even flops back to 'strahd' maybe that would put him in the 'good eyes' of the peasants after the 'wicked queen' showed up and did things worse than strahd! xD

[Hazgarn]

The idea of Strahd "returning" to save his domain from himself is interesting. Though while the idea of Strahd letting his hair down in more ways than one is amusing, overall he has too much pride in his rule to let his kingdom go like that.

As far as the family reputation goes, the female members are no slouches. Lyssa comes to mind, but taking a quick peek, Nicoleta is even more interesting. You don't gain a title like "General-Princess" for sitting around sewing doilies.

[Zilfer]

Forgot about that!