#i would have DMed you but the guest feature does not allow for that

[marythegizka]

Following a couple of reviews from an admittedly 'disturbed' guest on fanfiction.net, I'd like to remind people of one very basic rule: don't like, don't read.

Yes, I'm aware that vadaphra is 'out of character' (for Aphra, but perhaps even more so for Vader. I mean, Tolvan is basically a less malevolent, more grounded and somewhat watered-down female version of Vader, and Aphra would still totally hit that (does, in fact, hit that), but Vader doesn’t give jack shit about relationships. Padme got thrown into the fridge and his idea of love along with her). Yes, I'm also aware that Aphra is overwhelmingly considered gay (though I’ve always headcanoned her as bi, and in my fic 'Ashes in the Clearing', struggling to fix her relationship with Sana, even though that's not the point of the fic and therefore not explicitly mentioned. The theme was: grieving for someone you knew was bad for you, which we can all agree Vader was, canon or not canon, and therefore failing to completely move on. In other words, it’s a liberation that is not fully experienced as such). Yes, I know Vader is... look the word 'asshole' is not strong enough, but you get the point. Yes, I also know he's older than her, but Aphra is a grown woman, and I can assure you, being about the same age, that a fifteen-year age gap between consenting adults does not even remotely phase me (I also happen to know people in relationships with that same age difference (and no, it's not always men who are older, and yes, they're happy that way.) Now, back to the topic at hand. Yes, there is a power-imbalance. No, I don't think 'vadaphra-type' relationships should be endorsed, and no, my writing fics about them does not equate me saying 'gay girls go try boys', that would simply be unacceptable. But here's the thing: IT'S FICTION. Can fiction depict ideal situations? Sure. Is it necessarily its job? Hell no. I mean, how many classics rely on toxic atmospheres, unbalanced relationships and unhealthy protagonists? Yes, too many to count. 'Perfect' (if that’s even a thing) is what I want real-life people to get, if they want it, not what I want to read in books. Now, of course, my fics will never be 'classics' or even 'literature', nor do I want them to be. But I believe censorship and self-censorship, when it comes to fiction - not life - is an inherently bigoted attitude that takes the very essence out of it. Fiction can have many roles, and one of them is to explore things you wouldn't in life. And that's what I like about it. You wouldn't accuse Gustave Flaubert or Emily Brontë of promoting toxic behaviours, right? And yet they did write about them, in deeper and more thought out ways than I ever could. (Now, look me in the eye, and tell me you’d still read Wuthering Heights if Heathcliff were a sane, decent and gentlemanly person. Come on, I’m waiting.)

Now, my second point is: vadaphra. Is. A. Crackship. That’s it, guys. We know it's not canon. We know it won't happen because those people do. Not. Exist. Now, if after all those considerations you still think digging up dead fics and gracing me with your deep and insightful reviews about how 'disturbed' you are is necessary... sure. I'm not going to stop you. But allow me to be honest: you're not fighting the real fight. You're just assuaging your conscience by guilt-tripping someone who's already on your side. This is all I have to say about the subject. I already spend a good deal of my time 'debating' (arguing) with conservative relatives, and have no desire to spend my online time doing the same. But I needed to get this out. Now that it's done, let us all go enjoy the rest of our day.

[mysticvhedd]

Curse of Strahd Weds 7 pm EDT

Curse of Strahd (Revamped)

Game: D&D 5e

Experience: Intermediate

Day/Timezone: Wednesday at 7 pm EST/ 6 pm CST/ 5pm MST/ 4pm PST

Frequency: Bi-weekly (every other week) or weekly, as desired ($15 per session fee applies)

Length: 3-hour games

DM: David

Begins: 4/21/21 7 PM Est/ 6 pm CT/ 5 pm MT/ 4 pm PST

2 Seats left!!

Would be “heroes,” yoked into service by the charismatic wiles of fate, are led to the roads between worlds. The group soon finds themselves under the raging storm clouds that frame the ancient walls of a castle perched high above a rustic, mountain-side village.

Thunder pounds the castle’s crenelations, and howling winds buffet its spires. From the aging parapets, a silhouette turns its gaze down towards the village.

Far below, yet not beyond the figure’s keen eyesight, the party of adventurers has just entered the shadow’s domain. In a flash of lighting, its cold lips form the barest hint of a smile.

Then, the figure is gone! Only the howling of the wind fills the midnight air. The master of Castle Ravenloft is having guests for dinner, and you are invited...

Welcome, one and all, to Barovia, a land shrouded in grim mystery. The Gothic Horror themed adventure is the winner of the 2016 ENnie Awards. How will you navigate its immersive sandbox? What shape will your gothic narrative take?

Disclaimer: This game is 18+ due to graphic violence, gore, horror, and implied sexual themes; as Tracy Hickman, one of the original authors of the 1st edition and 2nd edition AD&D Ravenloft and House of Strahd quests put it, the vampire is “a decadent predator, an abuser hidden behind a romantic veil.” That is the villain you should expect to find, fight, and hopefully kill.

This game is a “grimdark” experience saturated in the tropes of gothic horror; it is not a high fantasy adventure. The elements that make it stand out from other campaign settings are its use of fear, horror, and insurmountable odds. Where the typical D&D adventure is an experience steeped in the tropes of empowerment, this campaign is steeped in the opposite (at least at first). These are staples of the Ravenloft setting, and such games are not for everyone!

1) Cursing is allowed at my table, but I request that it be used as a tactic for the purpose of character building and authenticity—in other words, in moderation. Keep the nature of your vulgarity and the comfort of your table-mates in mind. If you are asked to tone down your use of vulgarity or avoid a particular use of it in the future, be mindful of that request

2) Be respectful of the time people spend in the spotlight. Please, try to keep talking over one another to a minimum. Granted, we will all be getting to know one another, and over time we should develop a rapport that will avoid such issues. As a good rule of thumb, use roll20’s typed-chat feature in between turns when initiating a moment of RP while another party member is currently RPing; use discord’s similar feature when speaking OOC or cracking jokes.

3) Mic check! We've all been in a game where we heard the background of another player’s mic. This can and does diminish the fluidity of the game as well as people’s enjoyment. No one needs to hear the crunch of your snack between rounds of combat! Make sure to mute yourself while eating, or else avoid eating during the game.

4) The majority of this game will be run via the rules as written. If you want to do something on the fly that bends the rules but does not outright break them, the rule of cool comes into effect! During a game, my adjudication is final. You may contact me privately if an adjudication bothers you. I may choose to alter future adjudications based on your expressed argument, but I reserve the right to refuse to do so. Do not bog down playtime with debate. That being said, I am fine with a “rules lawyer” helping the table by briefly citing an arcane and often forgotten rule or trying to elevate the game during epic moments, but once I make a call, leave contention and debate for post-game discussion.

5) Follow “Wheaton’s Law” and have fun!

What you can expect from me: I’m an English literature PhD candidate with private play tester credits in various 5th edition D&D books and an obsessive passion for the structures guiding narrative, storytelling, and roleplaying games. I have had 29 years of experience with D&D, grew up playing 2e, and have DMed for the vast majority of my tenure as a table-top gamer. I actively oppose the “competitive-DM” mentality. My goal is not to best my players. Together, as a group, we will be creating an emergent narrative. I am merely that narrative’s guide.

Conversely, actions have consequences. If you start murdering and stealing, expect the world to respond realistically. Likewise, Barovia is a grimdark sandbox filled with threats that are often too powerful for a group to defeat when they are initially discovered. If you choose not to run when the world and I both give you cues suggesting that an encounter might be too tough for a combative approach, the results of those choices are yours to deal with. Fair warning, no punches will be pulled and no decisions retconned!

In the past, I have found that this setting and campaign are greatly enhanced by a few house rules and optional rules from the DMG. I, however, am here to facilitate your experience! As such, the following rules will be discussed during our pre-game session. We will choose together whether all or none of them shall be adopted:

This is pay to play. Anyone interested in joining or who has any questions contact:

mysticvhedd#6266