D&D 5E Curse of Strahd: PCs are from where? [pls no spoiler]

[roddyriot]

I will be playing in a Curse of Strahd campaign. I'd like to know if the characters are from Ravenloft or if they start from somewhere else and enter Strahd's domain? Please, no spoilers beyond this question.

 

[Sunseeker]

I believe CoS allows you to start in either. The play I did last night I believe we started from "somewhere else" and got sucked through the Mists into Ravenloft. I'm not sure if that's the default start or not.

 

[thorgrit]

I believe from what I've seen it's best if the PCs are not native to the area in which it takes place. Chris Perkins mentioned during the first Dice, Camera, Action livestream (could contain more info than you want) that they thought about having some player options for native characters, but ultimately decided that the realm should be mysterious and characters should feel out of place. (Or at least, they want to allow the DM every opportunity to enforce describing it that way.)

PCs can be from anywhere, and the DM is presented with several options on how to involve the PCs. One of them is explicitly set in the Forgotten Realms, and involves the associated factions.

 

[Tyranthraxus]

Yeah Im not a fan of having Native characters. Esp for a story like this I think it dilutes somewhat the appeal and mystery of the setting. I dont have to explain Barovia to a non native interloper because they dont know.

I know a lot of people really just seem all that native stuff is added crunch they could swipe ie Vistani characters, new feats and so on but for a game all about being abducted TO Barovia its not needed.