Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Sonja Mar 24, 2004 13:18:27	Normally, I like to run a game with a bit of silliness or funny or absurd moments in it. I really like the DS setting, but I've noticed that it's rather serious. Is it possible to put more comedy in a DS game without losing its flavour? Does anybody have any experiences or thoughs related to this topic? Oh, and on a semi-related note... no gnomes eh? I guess they didn't survive in this harsh world.
#2 zombiegleemax Mar 24, 2004 14:31:45	Darn that Nibenay, once known as Gallard, bane of Gnomes! Theres plenty of humor possible in DS... Aarocockra, Half giants and thri-kreen abound. They each have their own very strange quirks that can be amusing at times. Half giants with their low Int's, and Kreen with their alien mindsets. I think if played right, an Aarocockra could be rather humorous.
#3 Sonja Mar 24, 2004 14:34:34	OMG, there was a genocide of gnomes! Thanks for the Nibenay info.
#4 zombiegleemax Mar 24, 2004 14:43:52	ya, along with a lot of other races. The wanderers chronicle from the revised boxed set gives the info on the cleansing wars. Gnomes are completely unknown today on Athas.
#5 zombiegleemax Mar 24, 2004 15:06:35	Aside from being a general humor monger on the boards, I tend to be very serious in my games. The occasional touch of humor though winds its way in at times, which makes it even more of a stark contrast. With such grim and grit as the norm, the humor itself tends towards more dark tones than normal; like the laughter of a condemned man on his way to the chair. Then there's the playtesting sessions, which are as chock full slapstick and bumbling as you could expect from a full day marathon of Monty Python's Flying Circus. (edit) While the rules doc from Athas.org contains very little 'fluff' and background info for the world, you can get a general overview from the official timeline here, including info on the races that got wiped out during the Clensing Wars.
#6 nytcrawlr Mar 24, 2004 15:28:44	Mmmmmmmmm, intelligent, DS-fan, gamer girl. Ok, there's my sillyness for the day. I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread. P.S. I try to have a little sillyness in all my games, DS, FR, RL, whatever. I tend to keep it short in DS though due to it's seriousness.
#7 Kamelion Mar 24, 2004 15:43:15	We had this game that featured a rasclinn called Scooby... And a dastardly templar who would have gotten away with it all, too - if it hadn't been for those meddling kids!
#8 jon_oracle_of_athas Mar 24, 2004 15:45:02	I use little humor in my DS gaming sessions. I apply humor in real life instead. To the extent I use humor, it is brutal, hits the PCs hard, and most often leaves none standing. Humor comes about from foolish PC actions.
#9 Kamelion Mar 24, 2004 15:46:49	Oh, and let's not forget Lord Doomspike. Phear the cactus!
#10 zombiegleemax Mar 24, 2004 15:57:29	Originally posted by Kamelion Oh, and let's not forget Lord Doomspike. Phear the cactus! The Athasian Flora is rather intimidating. I remember this one time........ P.
#11 zombiegleemax Mar 24, 2004 16:03:56	Oh, and let's not forget Lord Doomspike. Phear the cactus! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#12 Grummore Mar 25, 2004 9:30:37	Originally posted by Sonja OMG, there was a genocide of gnomes! Thanks for the Nibenay info. If you go on my web site, in the MISC section, there is a pdf that give lot's of info on all the Champions (SK) of Rajaat. Btw, yeah, it can happen that our group fall to sillyness sometime, but when it happen, I tend to know it's time for a 10 min. break.
#13 dawnstealer Mar 25, 2004 10:16:08	I tend to run Dark Sun as a pretty somber setting: the environment is slowly crumbling away and, with it, society. Numerous races have been wiped from the planet and they've been replaced by a horrorshow of monsters from the wastes. Even so, I never make my campaigns devoid of humor. I may make an NPC who pops up occasionally to relieve tension, but I stay away from "goofy," "zany," or "out there" campaigns or adventures that center around humor. Having a clumsy half-giant that's getting in trouble all the time trying to help the PCs might be a bit much, but having him (or her, always good to screw up those stereotypes) show up when there's a lull in the action can be a nice break. I guess the major point is that, like Ravenloft, Dark Sun is a campaign that's really aimed at serious gamers who are much older than the usual 8-15 crowd. The type of people who want to play in this depressing world typically aren't looking for happy-go-lucky Kender-fests. The best way to set it up is to use your best judgement and when everyone is too depressed to go on, inject a single ray of sunshine... ...then have it be eaten by a drake. Down, Nyt! DOWN! I apologize: we put him on different drugs a few weeks ago. Kam, Lord Doomspike has completely stalled my drawing of the hunting cactus. Every time I sit down to sketch one out, I just get this goofy feeling I should be drawing it with a cape and beret. Bastard.
#14 nytcrawlr Mar 25, 2004 14:31:23	Originally posted by Dawnstealer I guess the major point is that, like Ravenloft, Dark Sun is a campaign that's really aimed at serious gamers who are much older than the usual 8-15 crowd. The type of people who want to play in this depressing world typically aren't looking for happy-go-lucky Kender-fests. The best way to set it up is to use your best judgement and when everyone is too depressed to go on, inject a single ray of sunshine... Agreed. Down, Nyt! DOWN! I apologize: we put him on different drugs a few weeks ago. Eggrolls, must get back on eggolls.... Kam, Lord Doomspike has completely stalled my drawing of the hunting cactus. Every time I sit down to sketch one out, I just get this goofy feeling I should be drawing it with a cape and beret. Bastard. So draw both. P Draw one of godfather cactus, and one of a the normal hunting cactus, hehe. ;)
#15 Kamelion Mar 25, 2004 17:10:47	Originally posted by NytCrawlr So draw both. P Draw one of godfather cactus, and one of a the normal hunting cactus, hehe. ;) Oh yes, please do :D It is the only way to exorcise the cactal demon that has taken hold of your mind...
#16 dawnstealer Mar 25, 2004 19:58:54	Yes: the "Cactal" demon. I'll have to remember that. You may be right.