User:マイキ/DnD Encounters


 * D&D Encounters** is an in-store event, set up to promote the game to new players, as well as being accessible to people who don't have a lot of time to play in a regular campaign. It differs from what most people expect in a D&D game, but the trade off is meeting and playing with new people and focusing on the interaction of the game, rather than story or character development.

This page contains information about Season 2, which takes place in the **Dark Sun** setting, on the world of **Athas**.

A copy of the Player Primer and Tracking Sheets can be downloaded from Wizards' website: [|DarkSunPlayTracker.pdf]

Gaming Sessions
The season technically begins on June 9th, 2010, but I (maiki), will be running two separate sessions, the first being on June 8th.

The weekly game sessions will be on **Tuesday at 6:30PM** and **Wednesday at 7:00PM**. The chart below is kept up to date. They will be at [|Eudemonia] in Berkeley. Games are played at tables in the back room (be courageous, wander to the back).

^ Game time ^ Dungeon Master ^ Status ^ Contact^
 * Tuesday, 7PM | Matt | 1 or 2 slots open | scelattom@gmail.com |
 * Wednesday, 7PM | Andy | Full | manyminis@gmail.com |

Each session should take one to two hours, and we will try to stick to that. Each session can have six players, and there are pre-generated characters for each player. No one will be turned away, but we will try to keep at those numbers. Anyone can contact me to work out which day works best for them, and I will message everyone to get a sense of who will make it each week.

In addition to just showing up you will need to give the organizer your DCI/RPGA number. If you don't have one you will be able to sign up for one right there, so no worries.

If you have them handy, it would be a good idea to bring:

* Writing implements (paper, pencil) * Dice (the role-playing kind, all different kinds of polyhedrons) * Snack and water (creative collaborative story-telling is hard play!) * Cheery demeanor (everyone who shows up is so happy, you don't want to be the odd one out) I don't have extra dice, but I will see if we can procure some.

Player Primer
Here are some things to keep in mind when getting into character. The world where the game takes place is called Athas, and it departs from what many people think of as "traditional fantasy". If you aren't kinda bummed out by the time you are done reading this list, Dark Sun is a perfect setting for you!


 * The world is a desert**. The sun is red and the sky is an olive-tinged color. Temperatures are almost always above 100 degrees by mid-morning, and they keep climbing. There are very few oases in this place, and there the few gatherings of civilization spring up. So, it is very similar to Arizona. Maybe a little nicer.


 * The world is savage**. Life generally sucks. It is dangerous, and most people are either slaves or slavers, if they don't just eat people outright. In fact, slavery is a large deal on Athas, and it touches nearly everyone's life. However, some people would prefer it to the alternative, terrifying creatures, both humanoid and otherwise, ready to make them crispy and tasty with ketchup.


 * Metal is scarce**. Most items are made of bone, rocks or wood. Most people will never see a steel sword or plate mail.


 * Arcane magic defiles the world**. Arcane magic is what created the wasteland that is Athas, and it usage defiles the very essence of life on the planet, whether it is a person plant or the earth itself. Arcane practitioners are generally hunted and killed on sight. Unless you are very, very powerful...


 * Sorcerer-Kings rule the City-States**. And they mean business. Their rule is absolute, and can seemingly only be challenged by each other. They may be gods, or on the way to becoming them. At any rate, they call the shots, and most people listen to them.


 * The gods are silent**. In ancient times the gods were defeated by the primordials, and they stayed defeated. No clerics or paladins. No divine blessing or healing. No religious orders or charity. In their stead is a healthy dose of psionic power and the callers of the primal spirit world. Psychics, druids and shamans, oh my!


 * Fierce monsters roam the world**. Normal animals don't really exist. No ponies here, mostly weird Star Wars-type creatures. And they don't make it easy to live on the planet, either. It's like Tatooine, but less friendly.


 * Familiar races aren't what you expect**. The elves are nomadic thieves, and halflings are cannibalistic (not even kidding). Everything is turned on its ear, and is generally worst off with the comparison to your happy-go-lucky Tolkien-esque equivalent.

Characters
Unlike the first season, all characters are pre-generated. The main reason is that the core rule books for Dark Sun are not out yet. It also lends itself well to the format, where people will drop in and out. It gives everyone a chance to trade characters and try out different types, which is a great opportunity to find your style of game play.

The character sheets have backgrounds and personality traits on them, to help players get into the role. Below is a quick take on each character:

^ Name ^ Information ^ Background ^ Appearance ^ Personality traits ^
 * Barcan |Male Human Cosmic Sorcerer (Veiled Alliance) | Noble youth from Tyr, resented his privileged life. Was once jumped by a gang of elves, where he was noticed by //Jarvix//, who noticed the arcane spark in him and invited him to the Veiled Alliance. Ran away from home, joined by sister, //Phye//. | Young and lanky, long unkempt hair. Wears a dark blue tunic and wields a staff. | Aloof, distracted, passive  |
 * Castri |Male Elf Marauder Ranger (Gladiator) | Grew up in the warrens of Tyr, a common street thug. Took to the arena, and was successful until severely beaten, where he was cast from the city like garbage. From there he was enslaved, but was at least able to mend his wounds. | Slender and short, armored in hides from creatures he defeated in the arena. Wields a blood-caked axe and a flint dagger. | Callous, brusque, opportunistic  |
 * Jarvix |Male Tiefling Telepathic Psion (Veiled Alliance) | An orphan who showed psionic power very early. His powers manifested in manic-depressive behavior, which lead to his enslavement. When the sorcerer-king Kalak fell, he drifted throughout Tyr, where he was recruited into the Veiled Alliance. He in turn now recruits for the Alliance, one of which is //Barcan//. | Has a single horn (instead of two), which concerns him greatly. He wears a cowl to cover it, though most don't care. | Vain, paranoid, inspiring  |
 * Phye |Female Human Enlightened Ardent (Noble Adept) | A reluctant adventurer, she left home to find her brother //Barcan//. A trained warrior, she quickly found him and now travels with him, seeing where the winds will take them. | Small and toughly built. Several tattoos on her arms and back complement her flaming red hair. | Strong-willed, self-confident, passionate  |
 * Shikirr |Male Thri-Kreen Quick Battlemind (Wilder) | Separated from his clutch at a young age by human slavers, he escaped and returned to his homelands, only to find no trace of his tribe. Setting out to search for them, he was again captured by slavers. | Unusual orangish markings on his head and forearms. General humanoid mantis look of the thri-kreen. One of his four arms is mangled, but it doesn't affect his combat prowess. | Loyal, anxious, persistent  |
 * Yuka |Male Mul Brawling Fighter (Wasteland Nomad) | Born of two nomads, his family was killed in the last great silt storm to hit the southern wastes. Now, he is on a journey north. | Bald like most muls, has many replacement wooden teeth. Armor is made from the scales of an id fiend. Generally bad-ass looking. | Fearless, driven, intense  |

How much does it cost to play in Encounters?
It is **free**. Encounters is a way to introduce players to Dungeons & Dragons, as well as provide a format with a small time commitment. There are other events that may have a fee to play, but Encounters is not one of them.

What is the Veiled Alliance?
The Veiled Alliance is a secret society that hides, and counts among its members, Arcane practitioners. If you will recall, most Arcane magic defiles the world. Unlike most arcane practitioners on Athas, members of the Veiled Alliance are Preservers, meaning their magic does not harm the world, with the trade-off that their magic is not as powerful. Combined with the hatred the average person has toward anyone who uses arcane power, this means that members of the Veiled Alliance keep their abilities and their affiliation a secret. Two characters, //Barcan// and //Jarvix//, are members of the Veiled Alliance.