D&D 5E Sanitizing Curse of Strahd (+)

[TheSword]

Part of thinking critically about the media you consume is considering underlying messages, not only explicit textual content. Izek’s feelings towards Ireena are pretty clearly implied to be incestuous (though he doesn’t know she’s his sister). And Kasimir’s motivation doesn’t need to be to use Petrovna as breeding stock for the notion of her being the only female dusk elf to squick people out.

Sorry. I should have been clearer I was referring to the fact that the feelings themselves weren’t incestuous as he doesn’t know it’s his sister.

I have no problem with subtext. That’s fine, and in gothic horror I think the implied and alluded is more powerful than straight out scenes of gore. Nobody wants to hear lurid descriptions of Izek molesting his sister. Or even little children being chopped into pie filling.

I think we have to be careful where people extrapolate their own imaginations beyond what is written and then criticize the writers for it. I think with the witches it’s a given, Izek’s case there is strong implication that the it could go that way, in Kassimirs I think there is little or no indication.

What’s great about this, is without even changing the text the DM can decide which areas will be suitable for their table’s maturity or preferred tone. Or cater to individual concerns.

 

[TheSword]

Curse of Strahd is at heart a crime thriller charting the path of a group trying to capture a serial rapist, spousal abuser and murderer. Tracey Hickman spells this out explicitly in his foreword.

I do think it’s worth recognizing that in the same way that gritty TV crime thrillers can have some really distasteful scenes it doesn’t mean they can’t be excellent (The Wire for instance).

Strand von Zarovich does not sparkle in the sunlight. There are inherent elements of the campaign that mean it will likely never be pre-watershed if you really think about Strahd means.

 

[Charlaquin]

Sorry. I should have been clearer I was referring to the fact that the feelings themselves weren’t incestuous as he doesn’t know it’s his sister.

I have no problem with subtext. That’s fine, and in gothic horror I think the implied and alluded is more powerful than straight out scenes of gore. Nobody wants to here lurid descriptions of Izek molesting his sister. Or even little children being chopped into pie filling.

I think we have to be careful where people extrapolate their own imaginations beyond what is written and then criticize the writers for it. I think with the witches it’s a given, Izek’s case there is strong implication that the it could go that way, in Kassimirs I think there is little or no indication.

What’s great about this, is without even changing the text the DM can decide which areas will be suitable for their table’s maturity or preferred tone. Or cater to individual concerns.

I don’t think there’s any indication that Kasimir’s reason for wanting to bring his sister back is for breeding purposes. He rather explicitly wants to bring her back out of love and guilt. But regardless of his intent, the implication of her being the only living dusk elf capable of bearing children is that either the other dusk elves use her for that purpose, or they continue going slowly extinct (ignoring that half-elves are a thing, as the book seems to forget that’s an option). That’s going to be over the line for some players, and I think it’s worthwhile to consider alternative possibilities.

 

[Charlaquin]

Curse of Strahd is at heart a crime thriller charting the path of a group trying to capture a serial rapist, spousal abuser and murderer. Tracey Hickman spells this out explicitly in his foreword.

I do think it’s worth recognizing that in the same way that gritty TV crime thrillers can have some really distasteful scenes it doesn’t mean they can’t be excellent (The Wire for instance).

Strand von Zarovich does not sparkle in the sunlight. There are inherent elements of the campaign that mean it will likely never be pre-watershed if you really think about Strahd means.

I don’t think anyone is suggesting these elements make the adventure bad. They’re just things that some players may not find appropriate subject matter for their weekly game night. @Gradine knows their players won’t, and as such, they could use some help coming up with alternatives. Let’s keep this thread about offering suggestions instead of arguing about whether or not CoS “needs” changing.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Scotts-Irish settlers

Because the "lazy drunkard" slur couldn't possibly be applied to them...

 

[TheSword]

I'm thinking about running Curse of Strahd for my friends, but I know that there are aspects of CoS that are objectionable*. My plan is to go through the adventure and make edits as if I were acting as a sensitivity reader. Here's what I've got so far.

*Note the (+) in the thread title. It's okay if you disagree with this statement; this thread is not for you.

1) The Vistani. This is probably the biggest one. There are so many negative Romani stereotypes here. My plan: turn then into more modern Wiccans, and portray them more positively. Replace the drunken degeneracy with joyous revelry. The tarot already fits. Some can still be corrupted by Strahd, an off-shoot that is less "Mother Gaia" and more "LeVayan Satanism".

2) Dead Children. I think I can sell my friends on Gothic Horror, but killing kids is almost certainly a step too far. I'm reframing Death House entirely, so no worries there. I'm running of turning the hags' victims into the elderly of the communities. Not quite as grotesque, but maybe a family gets desperate enough to sell a child, to push the heroes into action.

3) Dusk Elves. Their "curse" and the "solution" are extremely gross. The former, as a symbol of Strahd's misogyny, is justifiable. The latter is not. I still haven't figured out how I want to resolve this; maybe some type of infertility curse, or something unrelated entirely to reproduction. I do want all want the Amber Temple to house the solution to it, in any case.

These are the big ones, but I'm working on some other issues as well. How have any of you approached these subjects?

If you are operating at this level then there are some other revisions I would suggest.

1. Either remove Esmeralda completely or replace her fiddle leg and give her a different motivation than revenge - she’s an adventurer trying to solve abductions trapped in RL.

2. Allude to the kiddy pies rather than describe them. Or maybe the Hags use their tears or fingernail clippings as an ingredient rather than actually chopping them up for meat.

3. With the dusk elves make it clear that they are immortal. Then their tribe dying away become more a case of staving off accidents death rather than finding breeders. They can be sad, because there is no marriage, no passion, no children - but not to the point that they would act as it concerns you. It also explains why they would be so cautious and reluctant to face Strahd because each life is immeasurable precious. Kassimir then becomes a special case.*

4. I’d change the age of the Vistani chiefs missing daughter to 18/21 as you like. It Easy enough to do.

5. I’d up the ages of the children captured by the werewolves and made to fight to the death to 18/21

6. Clarify that Gertrude is 18/21. I don’t believe it’s specified.

7. Give Mad Mary a surname.*

8. Change the mad mage of mount Baratok to the forgetful mage and give him amnesia.

9. Have Izek kidnap Ireena to keep her safe from Strahd.

10. Stress that the Bellviews have willingly sought transformation from the Abbott so they can have the sight of an eagle, the speed of a puma etc etc.*

To be clear I wouldn’t personally do these things (other than the ones that have a *) but then my players don’t have problems with these things. They’re mainly teachers and I’m sure could happily suggest a few kids for the pie.

 

[IndigoTraveler]

Strand von Zarovich does not sparkle in the sunlight

Everytime he appears: Sparkle Sparkle

 

[TheSword]

I don’t think anyone is suggesting these elements make the adventure bad. They’re just things that some players may not find appropriate subject matter for their weekly game night. @Gradine knows their players won’t, and as such, they could use some help coming up with alternatives. Let’s keep this thread about offering suggestions instead of arguing about whether or not CoS “needs” changing.

I’m saying it’s impossible to fully sanitize an adventure that revolves around a serial rapist and murderer. At that point you’re just choosing to ignore some horrendous things and not others.

 

[TheSword]

Everytime he appears: Sparkle Sparkle

That’s only because you cast faerie fire on him first round of combat. Lol

 

[IndigoTraveler]

Either remove Esmeralda completely or replace her fiddle leg and give her a different motivation than revenge - she’s an adventurer trying to solve abductions trapped in RL.

I suggest, with her fiddle leg, go the Lone Ranger route and turn it into a Rifle Leg: have her snipe fools for the party.