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Countess von Zarovich

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Rediscover the land of Barovia under the domain of the terror-inducing Countess Strahd von Zarovich with this supplement filled with advice on running Strahd as a non-male  villain, and featuring unique, original encounters and NPCs to enhance your adventures in Ravenloft.

"This reimagined take on one of the most classic Ravenloft villains comes not only with a coherent take on Strahd herself, useful to novices wanting to run her for the first time, but also features incredibly inspiring and thoughtful worldbuilding suggestions that show the original module in a completely new light.  For DMs both new and old - a masterclass on how to run a female Strahd or any female villain compellingly!" —Ziopliukas. Curse of Strahd DM. Twice Bitten Producer; r/CurseOfStrahd head moderator.

"Sometimes when we change elements of a pre-written adventure we are not fully aware of the butterfly effect this can have on a given story or even on the characters that populate it. This guide helps prepare Dungeon Masters not only for running a female Strahd but also for the complexities of building a living society. Give this guide a chance for a slight change of perspective - it just might be what you need for your own home game." —Wan. Curse of Strahd DM.

"Jija’s guide goes much deeper than 'here is a gender-flipped, legacy character.' The addition of the witch coven of Berez and the changes to the Countess’ relationships tell a clear, alternate story, but the addition of the extensive materials for DMs to reflect on why they are making the change make this a supplement for every DM running Curse of Strahd. The module (and vampires generally) already deals so extensively with sexuality and gender, and this supplement can help guide even the most sure-footed DM through (safely) playing an apex predator." The Aciduous Adventurer. Author of The Interactive Tome of Strahd.

"Thoughtful, tasteful, prim and proper guide offering a deep cut analysis covering the many facets of the dangerous she-vampire done right." —MrDeath. Curse of Strahd DM.

What's included?

A beautifully laid out 62-page PDF containing stunning artwork. Within its pages you will:

  • Find a comprehensive primer on gender-swapping and how to avoid falling into tired stereotypes. You can use this advice for Strahd or any NPC you choose!

  • Meet new NPCs and revisit new dynamics with some familiar names

  • Learn to gaslight like it is an artform

  • Discover alternative to the RAW Tatyana-Strahd backstory

  • Read a 8-page long, fully fledged new biography for Countess Strahd

  • Incorporate new encounters and micro-events, including maps

  • Befriend (or not, players’ choice!) the Witches Coven that has settled in the ruins of Berez

  • Explore our compendium of historical villainous women as well as recommendations of fictional media to further inspire your Countess Strahd

Find some map previews below:
Map Preview

Feedback or comments on the adventure are most welcome!

The Team

This guide was written by Jija and edited by Kathleen HarringtonChristian Zeuch managed the project and created the maps and the layout.

Like my work?

If you would like to be notified of future releases, flag the checkbox on your left to follow me on the DM’s Guild. Would you also like to get a FREE gift? Check the file in the product for my mailing list, as I cannot post the link here.

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Reviews (4)
Discussions (6)
Customer avatar
Ryan A March 04, 2022 11:49 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I've been reading this and enjoying it a lot.

Gonna do a review when it lets me. I got enraptured in the biography of the Countess. I love it so much. I've ran curse of strahd (Mainly due to my love of vampires), I was looking to run a game of Curse of Tatyana but now it's going to be this instead!
Reply
Customer avatar
Christian Z November 27, 2023 3:42 pm UTC
CREATOR
Thank you for the feedback.
I missed the comment somehow!
Hope this book has helped you in your games.
- CZ
Customer avatar
Luke V November 17, 2021 6:34 pm UTC
PURCHASER
For those who are hesitant about Genderbent Strahd... I would highly encourage you to check out this book! I am someone who has been vocally against the idea of playing Strahd as a female. In my mind, CoS (as well as the concept of vampires in general) are so engrained into the narratives of toxic masculinity that simply switching the gender of the main villain sets off a series of red flags.

This book has changed my mind about that.

The reason this book is so fantastic is because it DOSN'T simply change the gender of the villain. It is a full reimagining of Strahd. It changes the narrative to tell an equally important story of women while still sticking true to the gothic genre. To its core, horror should have meaning and a message. I want to clarify that this book changes the meaning and the message of Curse of Strahd. If that's not something you are interested in, this book is not for you. That being said, if you are interested in telling a different story, this one is so well thought...See more
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Customer avatar
Christian Z November 17, 2021 6:55 pm UTC
CREATOR
Thank you so much for your feedback and kind words, Luke! We appreciate it a lot!
Customer avatar
James L November 17, 2021 6:08 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I can't believe you guys jumped on board this ridiculous she-Strahd train. HELLO!! Elizabeth Bathory?! The BLOOD COUNTESS?!

Whatever! I'm Certain it's a step up from the crappy gender-bent Strahd that I saw being offered last month. I just think it's dumb as hell when someone could do an Elizabeth Bathory Countess.. and create an entirely NEW Ravenloft domain controlled by a powerful woman.

Whatever. /rant-off

(Also, your Quick Preview is broken.)
Reply
Customer avatar
Christian Z November 17, 2021 6:52 pm UTC
CREATOR
Hi James. Making a new Domain with a new Dark Lord has never been the goal. We got this comment from a lot of people and it's alright. We knew from start that this wouldn't be everyone cup of tea.

The Full-Preview link should be working, I'll check with support what's up with the Quick Preview, tks for the heads up.
Reply
Customer avatar
Christian Z November 17, 2021 6:55 pm UTC
CREATOR
Also, I would encourage you to read Luke V's comment above on the supplement. Like Luke said, it's not a simple gender-swap. Quite some ppl have recommend this supplement even if you don't want to run Fem!Strahd and prefer to stick to canon Strahd. The Full-Size Preview will allow you to see the content in more details if you're interested.
Reply
Customer avatar
James L November 27, 2023 6:34 am UTC
PURCHASER
Hey guys.. I thought I asked this a couple of years go.. but I don't see my comment. It's actually been bugging me ever since, because I figured you guys were just ignoring me. Now the comment doesn't exist, so I dunno.

The comment was a question.. Strahd has a grandneice named Lyssa von Zarovich. Do you think you could adapt this to represent her.. or is this version entirely too "Strahdy"?

https://www.fraternityofshadows.com/wiki/Lyssa_von_Zarovich
Reply
Customer avatar
Christian Z November 27, 2023 3:45 pm UTC
CREATOR
Hi James, we can't delete comments so something else was up.
If you feel this makes sense, feel free to adapt. It's your game :)
As for adapting this in the book, we will probably not be changing it anymore.

- CZ
Reply
Customer avatar
James L November 28, 2023 4:43 pm UTC
PURCHASER
OH, no.. I was wondering if you would consider doing another NPC for Lyssa using this as a basis? It seems nobody has done a decent version of her yet, which is really lame, actually. She's intended to be one of Strahd's main protagonists. It would be like doing the Batman universe without a Catwoman.

Anyway, I never bought THIS product, so I don't know if it would be readily adaptable or not. That's what my question was. I'm SURE I could do a version of Lyssa myself, but since you guys were already doing similar stuff, maybe you might like to. :)

(p.s. I never thought that you guys deleted my comment, I'm sure it slipped in to the ether at some point while DTRPG/DMsGuild was switching out some features or something. ;) )

EDIT: I'm an idiot. I did buy this one at some point and forgot that I did.
Reply
Customer avatar
Christian Z December 05, 2023 7:22 pm UTC
CREATOR
Tks for your support :)
No, there's no plan of doing another product considering that NPC.
Tks for your inputs though!
- CZ
Customer avatar
Jack H November 13, 2021 12:26 am UTC
PURCHASER
Are you able to say how this supplement differs from "She is the ancient. A genderbent curse of Strahd"?
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Customer avatar
Rory C November 13, 2021 12:43 am UTC
PURCHASER
She is the ancient from what i am seeing is taking the whole campaign and switching the roles of many of the npcs. This one looks mainly at strahd and making it countess strahd. There are a few extra things also but it mainly looks at different ways that you can introduce strahd as countess and also change the shape of the land of barovia.
Reply
Customer avatar
Jija A November 13, 2021 2:12 am UTC
PURCHASER
Hi Jack!
Rory’s answer is precisely right. “She is the Ancient” presents itself as a genderbent guide to the entire adventure and also looks to provide alternatives to certain parts of the adventure so DM can choose what is comfortable for them and their tables. It is a great piece of work filled with interesting ideas.

“Countess Strahd” is an in depth focused look at Strahd in particular and Barovia as a society. It gives practical, actionable advice for running a non-male Strahd and introduces content, encounters and NPCs that are a direct consequence of Strahd’s change in gender. If you want more info feel free to look at the preview which has the table of contents and a little paragraph on each section of the guide.

Hope this helps!
Reply
Customer avatar
Jack H November 13, 2021 8:53 am UTC
PURCHASER
Cheers for the reply! Look forward to reading it soon
Customer avatar
Rory C November 12, 2021 4:28 pm UTC
PURCHASER
This comes at the right time as a party has just gotten an invite to the castle, they have "met Strahd" in a way but this will throw them for a loop

Reply
Customer avatar
Christian Z November 12, 2021 4:34 pm UTC
CREATOR
WOOT!
Customer avatar
Wout T November 12, 2021 3:49 pm UTC
Updated file still doesn't download...
Reply
Customer avatar
Christian Z November 12, 2021 3:58 pm UTC
CREATOR
Hi Wout, what updated file isn't downloading? Can you clarify so I can check? Tks
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File Last Updated:
November 12, 2021
This title was added to our catalog on November 12, 2021.