Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Recruiting Dark Sun players

Dark Sun Lives!


I'm looking for six players for a regular (weekly or bi-weekly) 4th Edition D&D Dark Sun campaign. Dark Sun is a just-(re)released setting that's quite different from the standard fantasy fare; it's a harsh, gritty world of sand, blood and defiling magic. Newcomers to D&D are welcome. We will play somewhere in the Carbondale region at a time an place convenient for all. The first adventure will be the promo module, Bloodsand Arena, with pre-generated characters; players will have the option of making new characters after the adventure.

Nota Bene: This will be a serious, hardcore-roleplaying campaign in a harsh, unforgiving world. Only serious, dedicated roleplayers need apply, and I will be ruthless in-game and out. In-game: This is Dark Sun. Nothing is fair. Your characters WILL die, or worse, and you have to be able to handle that with aplomb. Out-of-game: I expect dedicated roleplaying and character development. If I don't think you can handle that, you won't be invited to play. If you are in the game and not living up to the standards, you will be kicked out of the campaign, with no apologies in either case. If means I have no players, then I won't play. (I may also run a more traditional D&D game that won't be so hardcore, if there's interest.)

This does not mean that you can never miss a session. We are all adults with busy lives, and I plan on having more players than we need to compensate for the inevitable absences. It does mean that you will need to put a reasonable amount of work into character development both in-game and between sessions.

Serious knowledge of 4th Edition (or any edition) Dungeons and Dragons is helpful but not required; newbies are welcome. Knowledge of the Dark Sun setting is actively discouraged. I will tell you what you need to know, and besides, my setting will be different enough from the published materials that such knowledge will be largely useless anyway (players that have been in my Dark Sun games before will be fine).

So who's ready for the fires of Dark Sun?
If you're interested, reply to this post with a paragraph answering two questions: 1) Why do you like roleplaying? 2) Why do you want to join this game?

Athas awaits! Are you ready?

15 comments:

Calion said...

Post updated now that it's past August 6th and I have the book :)

Calion said...

Just post a comment here to request to join the game.

KristopherM said...

posting a comment to request to join the campaign. Later.

Calion said...

Okay, I've updated the post with a clearer statement of what it takes to join the game. People who don't write the request paragraph will not be invited into the game. The reason for this is that this game will require some work on the players' part. If a player isn't willing to write a short paragraph in order to join the game, they're not going to be willing to do the work required to play. It's not that much effort, seriously.

KristopherM said...

OK a paragraph. I've been playing D&D sense high-school. I usually play forgotten realms but Dark Sun is also good. I'm more interested in plot development than I am leveling up. The best stuff is what happens between dungeons. I also have an idea for a half-elf warlord and am wondering how he would play in the dark sun setting.

Marching Hare said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Calion said...

OOkay. I think I've finally gotten the wording clear on what's required in your 'application paragraph.' I haven't had enough players sign up to run yet, but that's probably okay, since I haven't really had time either.

So sign up already if you haven't!

Marching Hare said...

1) I like roleplaying because i enjoy interactive entertainment, something that involves me intellectually and that allows me to socialize with real people in a room.
2) I want to join this game because I love the Dark Sun setting, I like the idea of serious roleplaying, and frankly it is in the region and I don't know anybody.

Anonymous said...

1) It's a great recreational activity that is both social and imaginative, and allows me to immerse myself completely in an exciting fantasy world.

2) I'm interested in how 4th Ed will interpret DarkSun and am excited to return to that game world.

Jerry "Dread Gazebo" LeNeave said...

Hey there, you dropped by my site not too long ago and I had a broken link regarding some of my darksun stuff. It's been fixed and I shot you a reply. Happy Gaming!

http://dreadgazebo.net/dark-sun-teaserstarter-goodies/

matthewlind said...

I found you (or rather you found me) through obsidian portal. I grew up with dungeons and dragons as the Forgotten Realms computer games. last year I decided it was time to graduate to playing with real people in which the story could go in whatever direction the group led it to. I started off teaching myself the mechanics of 4e and DMing a small group of friends. They had a hard time getting past the mechanics part despite my encouragements to embelish on the story aspect of the game.
I look forward to playing with people who are as interested in storytelling and character backgrounds as I am. Also, i've found myself obsessing over the idea of Dark Sun for some months now.

Calion said...

@matthewlind: Hm. Apparently I wasn't quite clear enough. When I asked "why do you like roleplaying," I wasn't referring to playing tabletop RPGs in general; I meant "why do you like roleplaying within a tabletop RPG"?

Yes, I'm being a stickler about this; I've got a couple of reasons for doing so.

matthewlind said...

ahh, sorry. why do i like roleplaying within a tabletop setting? I enjoy having the ability to collaborate with others to create a unique and involved story. I enjoy the excitement of being able to shape the world I immerse myself in, and also the suspense of not always knowing what is next, and sharing that with other people.

gradyelliott said...

In answer to your questions:

1) I enjoy role-playing for a number of reasons. It's fully interactive entertainment that provides a good story. It allows me an opportunity for creative writing. It's a chance to socialize with like-minded people. It engages my problem-solving abilities. In my experience, no other medium can combine all of these in the same way as a good role-playing session.

2) I'd like to join this particular campaign because the GM appears committed to story-telling, character development and role-playing. My old gaming group (I used to live in MD.) felt the same way, and I wasn't sure if I could ever find another. I've had a hard time finding gamers in this area who take that kind serious approach to RPG's. So I'm glad to see a GM in Carbondale who's willing to say "character development or GTFO."

NakedAbeLincoln said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.