Topic: Native Role Playing in Barovia
We’ve been discussing in the Gundarakite forum this topic so that we will have a general idea of how our Gundarakite would likely be reacting with other ethnic groups.
Concept: Outlander
We all know that 'outlander' is a term used by the locals in Vallaki and the surrounding areas to refer to non-natives. The word ‘outlander’ possesses negative connotations frequently when used by native speakers of balok.
Question: The question we started asking ourselves and Blue was concerning other ethnic groups who are native to the setting, but who are not Barovian, Gundarakite, etc. etc.. Are they treated similarly or the same as outlanders who arrive from other worlds? (Though it is not -ic- knowledge for our native characters to know about outlanders coming from other worlds, though they may hear strange accounts of the such which they may or may not believe.)
Our conclusion: For the most part, yes. Anyone who is from outside of Barovia is treated with aloofness and suspicion. Vallaki is composed of ethnic groups.
Majority: Ethnic Barovians
Largest Minority: Gundarakite
Two smaller minorities: Forfacians & Thaani
And of course: Vistani
These ethnic groups do not intermarry and stick to their own. They barely tolerate one another as is. Each natives within each of these social groups will treat characters outside their own social group accordingly.
Natives who come from distant lands outside of Barovia and the annexed land of old Gundarak are basically treated as outlanders.
Factors that I take into consideration are: race, gender, class (are they blue bloods or serfs), clothing, and dialect. Basically, if a character is acting like the majority of outlanders, then they are referred to as ‘outlander’ and are treated as such. I have been chewed out a couple times via tells because my character referred to a “native” character as an outlander. I think the problem stemmed from a misconception of what ‘outlander’ means to my Gundarakite.
Basically, it is a mistake to conceptualize that all natives are one social group. There are many subtlities to consider, which we are working together in game and out of game to help figure out.
We are still thinking about this topic and would like to open it for discussion, especially in light of what we hope is an increase in players taking up native characters.
ferf