One of the reasons why Dark Sun is my favorite setting. Being a hero feels more important in such a dark world. Being a hero by fighting slavers is something that used to be encouraged in Dungeons and Dragons. But Hasbro believes ignoring the existence of slavery will make it go away. Acknowledging slavery exists is being pro-slavery.
Good thing about slavery in rpg is you get to join the fight to stop it. The 'Freeing the slaves' trope is very much related to the 'overthrow the evil overlord' idea. Basically it is alright to have it in a setting as long as it is portrayed as a bad thing. Ethical concerns can be fun, but that varies between play groups.
@@Mr_Welch on a related note, I had to discuss 'should torture be effective in rpg?' We agreed the answer should be No, like legitimizing racism in games. Racism being in game, fine. "Racism is correct" should not. This makes Beastman/humanoids problematic in theory but Aldheim Orcs, Grakalia gnolls and the like help. Just need to make them more common. Maybe von Hendricks could offer more hobgoblin to help Stephen deal with an Iron Ring operation and to the surprise of everyone it works?
I think it's funny when I see fantasy worlds where slavery is either completely off the table or aggressively shunted exclusively onto designated "evil guy" factions, rather than any sort of nuance or thought going into where, why, and in what ways it might be practiced. I like how varied and realistic the Mystara cultures' approaches are. My favorite is probably the Dwarven legal punishment of being _forbidden_ from work, which I definitely relate to.
Thank you for this. @Mr_Welch A detailed vid. For my next campaign I'm coming home to Mystara. After a whole vid about a terrible, evil reality .. to end with the Iron Ring, von Kesslers, and Daughters of the Gladius --- these three in a triangle SCREAMS campaign plot. Again sir: TY!
Although an anti-slave homebrew Oath would be interesting, subbing in Oath of the Open Sea (Wildemount) might work as well. It's tenets seem to focus on freedom, and it's maritime flavour might still blend well in Thyatis.
Not in any way mortals comprehend. Like Glantri their natural magical abilities means they don't need forced labor. A lot of them view mortals as pets more than actual slaves.
@@CanuckWolfman Sounds like an excellent employment opportunity for an entrepreneurial party to run security and get a good reputation for reliability with the merchants. Bet Von kessler pays well.
@@NutiketAiel single line in Dawn of the Emperors. They are a female abolitionist fighter society and that's the extent of their official lore. Had to make up the rest.
@Mr. Welch That would be one of the most watched videos you ever made if you make it. I will post it in every Facebook D&D group I am in, and I would find new groups to join just so I could post in there too!
I can see myself working up an adventure where a good aligned party would basically have to buy slaves in order to save them. Lots of things to tie good characters in knots.
One of the reasons why Dark Sun is my favorite setting. Being a hero feels more important in such a dark world. Being a hero by fighting slavers is something that used to be encouraged in Dungeons and Dragons. But Hasbro believes ignoring the existence of slavery will make it go away. Acknowledging slavery exists is being pro-slavery.
Your last two sentences are contradictory; I think a "not" was accidentally left out.
Good thing about slavery in rpg is you get to join the fight to stop it. The 'Freeing the slaves' trope is very much related to the 'overthrow the evil overlord' idea. Basically it is alright to have it in a setting as long as it is portrayed as a bad thing.
Ethical concerns can be fun, but that varies between play groups.
That's the best part about the Iron Ring. No matter what you do to them you don't feel bad about it in the morning.
@@Mr_Welch on a related note, I had to discuss 'should torture be effective in rpg?' We agreed the answer should be No, like legitimizing racism in games. Racism being in game, fine. "Racism is correct" should not. This makes Beastman/humanoids problematic in theory but Aldheim Orcs, Grakalia gnolls and the like help. Just need to make them more common.
Maybe von Hendricks could offer more hobgoblin to help Stephen deal with an Iron Ring operation and to the surprise of everyone it works?
I think it's funny when I see fantasy worlds where slavery is either completely off the table or aggressively shunted exclusively onto designated "evil guy" factions, rather than any sort of nuance or thought going into where, why, and in what ways it might be practiced. I like how varied and realistic the Mystara cultures' approaches are. My favorite is probably the Dwarven legal punishment of being _forbidden_ from work, which I definitely relate to.
Cant wait to pick up the book. I didn't know anything about this setting before finding your channel but I look forward to these videos.
Thank you for this. @Mr_Welch A detailed vid. For my next campaign I'm coming home to Mystara. After a whole vid about a terrible, evil reality .. to end with the Iron Ring, von Kesslers, and Daughters of the Gladius --- these three in a triangle SCREAMS campaign plot. Again sir: TY!
Daughters of the Gladius sounds like a great Paladin order...
Although an anti-slave homebrew Oath would be interesting, subbing in Oath of the Open Sea (Wildemount) might work as well. It's tenets seem to focus on freedom, and it's maritime flavour might still blend well in Thyatis.
@@bskec2177 Maybe. Though I can see more than one oath fitting, I was just thinking the bread and butter oath of devotion standard paladin types.
In GAZ1, Duke Stefan was noted as abolishing serfdom. He must have really hated anything that looked like chattel slavery.
Do the fey courts practice slavery, endentured servetude or anything similar?
Not in any way mortals comprehend. Like Glantri their natural magical abilities means they don't need forced labor. A lot of them view mortals as pets more than actual slaves.
@@Mr_WelchDoes this mean their "pets" get tender vitals, comfy places to stay rent-free, and cuddles?
Just asking for a friend.
No prices? Whats a Hin brewer go for on the market?
More than the seller's life is worth once the brewer's adventuring kin catch up with them.
@@CanuckWolfman Sounds like an excellent employment opportunity for an entrepreneurial party to run security and get a good reputation for reliability with the merchants. Bet Von kessler pays well.
@@CanuckWolfman They don't call his uncle Benny the Butcher because of his pork rolls.
@ 0:07 = that time Lou Grant and Geordi LaForge experimented with some heavy bondage. ;)
What's the source for the Daughters of the Gladius? I don't remember ever reading about them.
@@NutiketAiel single line in Dawn of the Emperors. They are a female abolitionist fighter society and that's the extent of their official lore. Had to make up the rest.
@Mr_Welch Thank you.
Isn't Bargle the mastermind leader of the Iron Ring as well?
He doesn't lead them, but because they need Fort Doom as a base of operations he's got tremendous sway over them, as does the Baron.
Wonder if Bargle would make a good topic for a video
@@TheAgnarr Agreed !!!
@Mr. Welch That would be one of the most watched videos you ever made if you make it. I will post it in every Facebook D&D group I am in, and I would find new groups to join just so I could post in there too!
@@TheAgnarr It needs to be done. You could write an entire campaign from level 1 in the Basic set's encounter all the way to his attempted(s!) godhod.
Mature audience indeed.
Good series of fighting slavery Guardians of the Flame. "The Warrior Lives!"
I can see myself working up an adventure where a good aligned party would basically have to buy slaves in order to save them. Lots of things to tie good characters in knots.
First! Great vid.
That's impossible. *I* am Spartacus.
Wait, you can't be Spartacus, I'M Spartacus!
I'm Brian, and so's my wife. Oops, wrong movie.
You’re all Spartacus? Huh, guess we need more crosses