All characters, no matter if they are based on historical figures or not, may be genderbent for their reincarnation. Just apply common sense and tact, and you should be good! [As a note, as you can probably guess the impact of the difference in gender on the personality (for example due to different social expectations when growing up) is something that we want to see mentioned under Any differences? in the Personality section of the application.]

Yes, the villages are included! The character can stay anywhere within the six-mile radius around the mouth of the Moss River that constitutes the Echo Boundary. Essentially, the guideline exists to make sure that people naturally spend a good amount of their time within the area where their echoes can activate/be active.