I've been working on some Ravenloft domains based on Stephen King stories. And for the one based on Carrie, with the titular character as the Dark Lord, I decided that to aid some cruel irony to the PC's and the situation. I've decided to reveal that the PC's are the reincarnations of Chris Hargensen, Sue Snell, Billy Nolan, and Margaret White. In other words, the PC's created the Dark Lord, and now the Dark Powers have brought them back to destroy her. Is this a chance for redemption and correct mistakes of the past? Or are the Dark Powers just cruel bastards who enjoy watching their prisoners suffer while eating popcorn? Maybe both? Who knows?
But bottom line, the PC's are reincarnations of Chris, Sue, Billy, and Margaret. But what factors should decide which PC's are the reincarnations of who? Should the factors be in gameplay stats? Or individual PC character? I think the reincarnations should be as poetic and ironic as possible.
I’d actually first look at the players and see which of them might best pull off which role. From there, character’s personalities. I’d say those are more likely to remain in tact across reincarnations than things like ability scores. Even if it’s just one or two things, just something to give an achor to the players. I’d want them to be able to keep playing the character they want to play, just with this little twist of fate, rather then them feeling they need to change the character.
I’d actually first look at the players and see which of them might best pull off which role. From there, character’s personalities. I’d say those are more likely to remain in tact across reincarnations than things like ability scores. Even if it’s just one or two things, just something to give an achor to the players. I’d want them to be able to keep playing the character they want to play, just with this little twist of fate, rather then them feeling they need to change the character.
The plan is to slowly reveal the truth via visions and memory flashes when they visit specific places. For example, if the PC who's the reincarnation of Chris walks into the girls bathroom, they'll have vision of themself in first person, laughing at Carrie having her period. After that, they remember doing it even though the memory never occurred in their known lifetime. Go through enough memory flashes, and they'll remember their entire past life. But their current identity remains. What players do with these memories and knowledge is for them to decide.
So, what what would you do if you were a PC in a domain like this, and you find out that you're the reincarnation of Chris or Margaret, and that you created the Dark Lord? If it was me, my PC's mindset would be "I created a monster in a past life. Now I have to destroy her." Remember, Dark Lords cannot be reformed. So the best option is to put them out their misery. After that, I'd write down that my PC dedicated the rest of their life helping abuse victims.
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I've been working on some Ravenloft domains based on Stephen King stories. And for the one based on Carrie, with the titular character as the Dark Lord, I decided that to aid some cruel irony to the PC's and the situation. I've decided to reveal that the PC's are the reincarnations of Chris Hargensen, Sue Snell, Billy Nolan, and Margaret White. In other words, the PC's created the Dark Lord, and now the Dark Powers have brought them back to destroy her. Is this a chance for redemption and correct mistakes of the past? Or are the Dark Powers just cruel bastards who enjoy watching their prisoners suffer while eating popcorn? Maybe both? Who knows?
But bottom line, the PC's are reincarnations of Chris, Sue, Billy, and Margaret. But what factors should decide which PC's are the reincarnations of who? Should the factors be in gameplay stats? Or individual PC character? I think the reincarnations should be as poetic and ironic as possible.
I’d actually first look at the players and see which of them might best pull off which role. From there, character’s personalities. I’d say those are more likely to remain in tact across reincarnations than things like ability scores. Even if it’s just one or two things, just something to give an achor to the players. I’d want them to be able to keep playing the character they want to play, just with this little twist of fate, rather then them feeling they need to change the character.
The plan is to slowly reveal the truth via visions and memory flashes when they visit specific places. For example, if the PC who's the reincarnation of Chris walks into the girls bathroom, they'll have vision of themself in first person, laughing at Carrie having her period. After that, they remember doing it even though the memory never occurred in their known lifetime. Go through enough memory flashes, and they'll remember their entire past life. But their current identity remains. What players do with these memories and knowledge is for them to decide.
So, what what would you do if you were a PC in a domain like this, and you find out that you're the reincarnation of Chris or Margaret, and that you created the Dark Lord? If it was me, my PC's mindset would be "I created a monster in a past life. Now I have to destroy her." Remember, Dark Lords cannot be reformed. So the best option is to put them out their misery. After that, I'd write down that my PC dedicated the rest of their life helping abuse victims.