The party consists of a human Necromancer (uses preserver magic) he only has access to necromancer spells and can control undead as a cleric.
A Desert Lizard Wizard (variation on the Ssaran race) with electrical, sand, and lizard type spells (he can cast others and is a generic mage)
and a desert lizard bard/barbarian (savage skald PrC)
Any ideas are greatly appreciated
Gaining the acceptance of the VA usually doesn't involve a series of tests and what not (i.e. High Wizards of Sorcery from Dragonlance). If the PC's are looking to gain particular VA cell's attention, I'd saying taking down a known defiler or saving one of the VA's members from the clutches of templars are a good way in doing so.
Hope that helps somewhat
I seem to recall reading somewhere that most preservers get taught a couple of "contact" signal - without really being told who they might be contacting. Kind of like: "If you're in a city, and in real trouble, try this. It might work, it might not..."
The other way is if the party have some skills or abilities the Alliance decides they need Right Now. Then the party might not get a choice about joining
There is one test that the Alliance definitely does use - the Green Test. If you have a Wizard in the party, they will be taken to a secret area with vegetation, and told to cast a spell. They have various safeguards against deception or the spell being used against them, but if you cast a spell and the plants wither, well, you don't last very long.
Mr. Necromancer will be considered a full member, the non-mages "Auxilliaries". They'll probably be made a cell in their own right...
As far as joining, yeah, I'd say do some sort of spysy mission or something, or bring them the head of a defiler or some defiler artifacts (spellbook, magic item, whatever). Remember that, however you want to look at it, the VAs are actually terrorist organizations, and you'll be having to undertake terrorist missions for them. Saying "oh, I don't really wanna kill the guy, he's just misunderstood: we should teach him a better way!" is just as likely to get the others to turn on and kill YOU too.
I change Dark Sun whenever I can to make it funner, so the quest thing is for fun, not to stick w/ the Dark Sun plot completely. (sorry i didnt clarify)
I like the quest ideas Capn Nick, thanks a bunch!
I seem to recall reading somewhere that most preservers get taught a couple of "contact" signal - without really being told who they might be contacting. Kind of like: "If you're in a city, and in real trouble, try this. It might work, it might not..."
That would be putting your hand in front of your lower face as if your were miming a veil.
They also used catch phrases to signal each other as well. One of the more popular lines was "My mother was a noble and my father was a templar" Where the VA agent would reply "You come from good stock".
But reading and writing is forbidden. So there are other ways to do it: you go to the market in Raam and ask if anyone sells "Gliph Juice" -- you get sent around until one of the merchants tells you, "I have some, but not here. If you want help, you'll have to meet me on Mraxan street at Shadows' Lengthening." (ie: near dusk).
The Alliance can use the day to covertly check you out before they help you, and set watch on the meeting street with their own agents, all in case you are Templar spies. If you are Templar agents or considered untrustworthy/too much of a risk, they sell you actual juice: a sour, lemon-like extract.
You could wrap a green scarf around your face (or tie it to another body part) and wait to be approached by someone asking if you are looking for help.
"Do you need help?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I would like to buy your veil."
The amount of espionage required can vary depending on the gaming group's desires. If they aren't really into it, just make it one or two things they have to do to meet with an agent of the Alliance, if they like it, you can get even more cloak-and-dagger with the tests, requirements, backup plans and such.