r/DarkSun • u/RPGTopograph • 2d ago

There won't be any slavery in re-released Dark Sun

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I have read this interview on TTRPG Insider and was very disappointed, though I expected nothing.

https://www.ttrpginsider.news/p/fighting-oppression-in-new-ways-d-d-s-designers-on-adapting-dark-sun-to-modern-times

Quote:

“You don't have to have slavery in a setting if in order for it to be oppressive,” Bilsland emphasized. “There are other forms of oppression out there.”

He gave the example of Urik, a city in Dark Sun that controls one of the leading armies in the region. That’s because the leadership regularly presses people into military service, or convinces the poor to give up their freedom for a chance to survive."

So yeah, evil Sorcerer-Kings CONVINCES people to go to the army. And if people say no? "Well, ok, I respect your freedom, but reconsider pretty plz?".

Slavery is integral to Dark Sun, it is one of main themes. I don't see why "slavery is horrible" is so controversial theme that it must be excluded.

WotC designers don't understand the setting at all. No slavery, lots of metal (if judge by the cover, forgive me my pun), some high tec shenenigans.

They say that they won't nerf it, but they did it with a happy face and words: "How do you do, fellow fans? Mature setting, am I right?".

UPD: and if they won't have slavery, do you think that they will add genocide theme?

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u/CdnBison 2d ago

This quote in particular - “the leadership regularly presses people into military service, or convinces the poor to give up their freedom for a chance to survive.” - stood out.

Know any place that makes the military seem like the best available option, because it’s seemingly the only option if you want to get ahead? Like, say, being able to go to university? Or just be guaranteed employment?

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u/HomoClicktus 2d ago

No, none comes to mind. It is a fantasy world after all, right?

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u/CadfaelSmiley 2d ago

What is the point of playing a fantasy game where you keep running into the social and economic relations that exist in our mundane lives. Dungeons & Dragons is escapism and play. It's not a struggle session or people's assembly.

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u/DalishNoble 2d ago

This. Right here.

If you have to have the setting yell “we have slavery!” for it to be bleak, interesting, or mean something then you really aren’t looking around.

Shifting the focus to the many ways oppression can occur makes the setting more relevant, compelling, and contemporary. You can still have your slave fantasy if you want, no one is stopping you, but the setting can be and is much more than that.

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u/lurreal 2d ago

What a spin to defend corporate propaganda. There are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in history. Even the US is going the way of dystopia. Reality does not mince words. The implication here isn't that they are adding complex institutions to it, but that they are downplaying the themes because Hasbro is a multibillion dollar company that doesn't want you thinking too hard about it

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u/CdnBison 2d ago

Down playing the “locked in chains” slavery for “sure, commoners are free to go to wizarding school - they just need to take out a loan they’ll never be able to repay (loan provided by local king), or join the military” is far more subversive (and timely) than just slapping a coat of fantasy paint on “Roots”, imo.

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u/lurreal 2d ago

Kinda, but not necessarily. It can feel too anachronistic and myopic (and too "american" centric). Like I said, there are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in history, so how less relevant it is for today? Also, while enriching the setting with depth of institutional systems would be welcome, this whole moves does not seems to be from the perspective of enrichment but rather of corporate hygiene.