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.