This is copied from another website which is not directed towards gamers who may not be familiar with the dark sun setting.
Roleplayers needed for chat based online dark sun campaign with GM (game master) modification of the dark sun world at his liberty. 3.5 D&D systems and material presented at www.athas.org will be tentatively used with GM modifications. Only serious gamers need apply.
The GM is serious and committed to ensuring a quality of gaming experience and devotes time to planning and discussing with players on what they would like to see in the game. This game is more focused on roleplaying than monster slaying but there will be a mix of both. Ideally we'd like to strike a balance between player motivated and GM motivated.
The dark sun world is a dying earth fantasy setting, which doesn't feature the usual cliched tolkienesque themes good vs evil where good represents humanoid races and evil monstrous humanoid races.
Some features of this world which are distinct from others:
- slavery is a norm not an exception which only monstrous races and abberant evil societies adhere to
- elves are roguish and unscrupulous desert runners and bandits not noble forest dwellers
- orcs (to my dismay), hobgoblins, gnomes, goblins, trolls, ogres, and pixies do not exist as they were exterminated during the cleansing wars
- halflings / aka hobbits are very primitive and reside in forest areas and universally practice cannibalism and nature worship and are not friendly like in other settings
- water is scarce and most of the world is a desert / badlands type of ecology
- wizards are universally reviled and magic is illegal and severely punished in its use in all areas of known civilization, save for use by the sorceror kings and their royal agents, because wizard magic is believed to irrevocably deplete the soil making it barren and disrupt the ecology
- the civilizations -- ie: city states -- are patterned after non-european cultures
- metal is scarce -- it was mostly mined up centuries ago
- psionics / psychic abilities are more common than in other settings
- dragons are unique beings, not common denizens -- you will likely never fight one because they are the uberpowerful psion-wizards who are undergoing metamorphosis to demigod like beings. there are no more than 5-7 of the on the entire planet
- there is no divinity or deity worship -- in D&D cosmology gods as we conceive of them reside on outer planes of existence. Dark sun is cut off from these planes and divine influence doesn't exist nor does worship. However the inner planes or elemental planes have an influence thus the "priests" call upon elements, not on gods for the abilities.
- do-gooding is less common due to the sociopolitical nature of things and due to ecological and geographic factors which make life problematic
If interested post here or PM for more details.
In before TL; DR
Thanks.
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Vale is a former adventurer and traveling minstrel who built up a troupe of entertainers around himself and his girlfriend Tila. The group of around fifteen travels from city to city with a large caravan (roofed wagon) pulled by a mekillot (six-ton lizard), performing for days or weeks at a time at towns and villages and often staying for months at major cities. The group has been around for six or seven years (says Vale), and is on its third circuit of the Tablelands, but most of the player characters have not been with Vale for that long.
The entertainments offered include carnival fair, such as games and sideshows, with several “joints” operating simultaneously in the open air or in tents. On some days an evening show is performed in a large tent, in which several of the troupe members participate. The nature of this show varies depending on the audience; it typically includes risque dancing, music, trained animals, and acrobatics. The big tent may also house the outdoor events on the rare occasions when it rains.
Most of the sideshows are operated by individual members for their own profit. Vale collects half of the gross sales from these operations. He also keeps two-thirds of the gate receipts which are charged for both the regular carnival and the evening performances. The other third is divided among all the troupe members except Galdar, with Brok, Toby, and Orko receiving a double share. Vale uses his revenue to pay all the group expenses and buy supplies, and often hands out bonuses (including paying Galdar what little it takes to keep him contented).
Vale also transports small amounts of cargo of various kinds (sometimes including slaves); the buying and selling of this was usually Kaz’ responsibility. Most of the members also engage in a little commerce, although Vale allows each person only a few cubic feet of cargo space in the wagon. Some pay Galdar to carry freight for them.
Brok is in charge of security and travel, and is boss over Toby and (much of the time) Aoife, Druj, and Galdar. He is second in command and is obeyed. Orko is in charge of the evening shows and in this connection works closely with Tila, Zocha, Sijar, and Vale. He is nominally third in command, but no one takes this seriously.
The third tour of the Tablelands, recently begun, has not gone smoothly. The first city was remote Celik; the trip was profitable but the troupe had to take the long road to Altaruk unescorted and was attacked in the wastes by braxats; one of the members was killed along with a hired guard. Altaruk was found suffering from shortages of food and water, and provisions were too dear to make much profit. At Fort Skonz, news came that the King of Tyr had been murdered and the city was in anarchy, so Vale elected to skip Tyr and proceed to Urik. That city, however, was locked down due to a rumored assassination plot, and the group was not allowed even to remain outside the walls – being fortunate even to purchase food and water at outrageous prices. In Raam, audiences were good but the templars confiscated almost everything. Vale decided not to go to Draj, where his band had been poorly received on both previous visits, instead going south to Nibenay. The group fell behind the main caravan during a savage heat wave, and Brok chose to take the little-used shortcut through the Windbreak Mountains to escape the heat. In the mountains, the party was attacked by psionic tigers, spent a night with an Elf clan, and, coming down through the forested foothills, attempted to rescue a Mul prisoner from a Halfling village, with mixed results.
Though forced to operate outside the city walls, and in spite of the desertion of a key member (Kaz), profits in Nibenay have been good so far (after a week and a half), but the group has been spied on by a merchant house indirectly linked to the Halflings and has killed some of that merchant house’s hirelings. Party members have also eliminated a local crime lord who attempted to extort their earnings.
Cast of Characters
Vale (Male Human, Thirties) is the owner and leader of the circus, and a spellbinding singer and lute player. He performs in every show, collects the money, and pays everyone else. Vale, a former wanderer and mercenary, is a warrior of considerable prowess and has psionic talents as well, but he avoids displaying his abilities. Vale dabbles in alchemy, but never admits to it.
Tila (Female Half-Elf, Thirties) is a founding member of the circus, and Vale’s girlfriend. She is remarkably beautiful, and quite confident for a half-elf. She dances, typically with as little clothing as local laws will permit, sings quite well, and is a skillful acrobat and tightrope walker.
Sijar (Female Human, Twenties) is neither as pretty nor as outgoing as Tila, and she always wears enough clothing to cover her slave tattoos. Sijar is an expert animal trainer, and keeps a small menagerie of performing creatures, including a talking parrot. She is also an accomplished acrobat and juggler.
Brok (Male Dwarf) is Vale’s right-hand Dwarf, and is in charge of protecting the caravan and getting it safely from city to city, as well as keeping Vale’s accounts and performing any other tasks that Vale will entrust to no one else. Brok often assists Druj in controlling “Shiftless”, the mekillot. He is a formidable fighter and has great knowledge of the desert and the Tablelands. Brok gives orders whenever Vale is absent or preoccupied.
Druj (Male Dwarf) is Brok’s younger brother. He is the usual driver of the mekillot, and is responsible for its feed and care. Druj is a skillful tattoo artist and also has many tattoos himself. Druj complains more than everyone else combined.
Rabbit (Male Human, Sixties) is a short, bald hunchback, who could pass for a dwarf if he wasn’t painfully thin. No one knows his real name. Rabbit operates several games of “skill” (though only one or two at a time) and is the group’s main cook – his favorite meal being, of course, rabbit, which he is adept at hunting. Rabbit is Vale’s slave, but Vale treats him no differently from any other employee, and pays him a full share.
Orko (Male Aarakocra [winged humanoid]) is a Water cleric and the group’s main healer; he also occasionally invites others to participate in his religious rites (some do). Orko collects the circus’ entrance fees and is the central planner of the major circus acts, in which he sometimes participates by playing various instruments or acting as a prop. Because he can fly, he often serves as a scout. Orko is gregarious and excitable but honest. Vale treats him as third in command, but no one takes him too seriously for himself.
Kalazash (Male Human, Twentyish, MIA) was the barker and announcer for the circus, and frequently ran errands for Vale. He also performed stage magic and poetry of an unusual rhythmic kind, and helped Orko plan the shows. Kaz sold herbal medicines of uncertain value on the side, and has been suspected of dealing in poisons and other contraband. He is extraordinarily thin for a human. Kaz deserted the party in Nibenay but has been contacted since.
Toby (Male Mul, Twentyish) is the main guard and peacekeeper, answering to Brok.
Zocha (Female Pterran [bipedal lizardoid]) has many talents, including psionic powers which she uses to provide various special effects for the shows; she also plays backing music on the flute. Zocha brews and sells a cactus-based liquor on the side, and sometimes tells fortunes.
Galdar (Male Half-Giant) does heavy labor, and is especially helpful setting up and taking down the tents. He also serves as a guard, but he is quite stupid and so has been taught not to attack anyone unless ordered, and to obey Vale, Brok, and Toby above all others. Galdar is enthusiastic and compliant but unskillful and lacking in judgment and attention span – he needs to be watched constantly. Attempts to use him as a “strongman” act have gone over poorly – Galdar is no showman. Galdar is Vale’s slave; occasionally he complains about this, but quiets down when Vale gives him a few coins or a trinket.
Kruji (Male Human, Forties) is a former slave who was whipped so much that the superficial nerves over much of his body have been destroyed, leaving him unable to feel the lash. He has a lucrative sideshow allowing himself to be flogged at five bits a stroke. Kruji is an excellent actor, and few of his “clients” ever suspect he is shamming – even some of his fellows believe that he is really a masochistic sex pervert. Kruji also endures firewalking and other tortures (which are faked), and will wrestle any human challenger for three clay. Kruji is a powerful wrestler, faster and stronger than he appears. It is unclear whether he is a runaway or Vale’s property; he is absolutely obedient to Vale in any case.
Aoife (Female Elf) is a competent fighter, scout, and desert survivalist who helps the caravan survive the desert crossings. She also plays backing music on the banjo. Aoife is often attended by a tame owl.
Selduu (Male Elf) has just joined the group; he is an artist with swords and knives and is amazingly persuasive when he wants to be.
Botuu (Unknown Race, MIA) is a small creature somewhat resembling a skeletal bipedal lizard, about two feet tall. Until recently he was almost human size, and capable of coherent thought, but through some unknown magical mishap lost his stature and possibly his sanity. He was then kept in a cage and displayed to onlookers for a fee; he soon escaped during an altercation. He joined the group with Selduu and no one seems to know anything about him.
Lael (Male Half-Elf) is a native of Nibenay who has fallen in with the party only a few days ago. Lael has some psychic powers and plays the lyre.
Aeden (Male Elf) is Lael’s lover. He is notably impulsive and irresponsible, and not notably good at anything.
Faike (Male Elf) is a Nibenese innkeeper and former employee of Vale’s who has been helping out. Faike is a flautist, dabbles in alchemy, and is possibly a wizard as well.
“Shiftless” (so named by his Dwarf handlers) is the mekillot (six-ton lizard) that pulls the caravan. Shiftless is cantankerous, and dangerous if not adequately fed, but he has proven quite sturdy, surviving several desert crossings without difficulty.