#i tried to keep this quick and punchy but let me know if y'all want deets

[curse-of-dming-strahd]

good lord I just finished the Vallaki chapter

I can't make too many solid plans because I have no idea how the party will be feeling by this point, but here are some notes in no particular order about running this for my PG-13 "don't make it too scary" group:

Vibes? Immaculate, love the desperate manic party energy.

"this town fucking sucks" *despondent party blower sound*

I'm giving Barovian religion a big makeover, which will take away from the demons & saints motif but will end up supporting the druids, hags, dark powers, etc.

the only horror note I really need is, "this town sucks, but at least Strahd can't get us here!"

the two hunters in Blue Water Inn are clearly dating, right?

the Baron's two attack dogs are secretly good boys who will not actually hurt anybody, the Baron is just bluffing

Victor is perfect, no notes

Fiona I respect the hustle and you win the award for most creative use of a spell, but h o n e y , n o

I'm not sure what they thought they were doing with Stella but I'm just gonna get in there and do a quick hand jive with her whole story and character thanks

Rictavio, great character, we gotta make him less racist.

Rictavio's sabre-tooth tiger... what if it was a displacer beast? c:

I love Blinsky and if we have a premature PC death, they'll end up in his shop in a puppet body and have to put up with his bullshit to get their real bodies back as a warning. everyone thought he was sooo weird and sad well guess what he's a MASTER OF LIFE AND DEATH NOW. because an early TPK is no fun, and is no fun, is no Blinsky

Vallaki hasn't hit its sad himbo quota yet so I think I'm going to rewrite Izek to just kinda fill that void

I'll only do the subplot where Ireena is his long-lost sister if my players like REALLY latch onto Ireena's whole deal

the vistani camp and the dusk elves are just... it's... it's fine I'll just... *makes a vaguely waving hand gesture* and then it'll be fine