No obstacle is more perilous to civilization's travel and expansion through the stars than Dead Magic Zones. In these regions of space, the 'verse has thinned. No magic functions, including that which powers most ships and Dark Matter engines. In Dead Magic Zones, navigation systems fail, life support fizzles out, and engines die. What makes Dead Magic Zones even more dangerous is that their boundaries are always changing in chaotic, unpredictable patterns. A zone can encompass an entire world while releasing others as it moves and shifts over thousands of years. Worlds deep within Dead Magic Zones remain largely unexplored by the greater civilizations of the 'verse, and are hence often referred to as “lost worlds.” These worlds represent an elusive, teasing promise to innumerable cultures: if more habitable planets, free of corporate and government interference, were to be accessed by the ‘verse at large, many ongoing interstellar conflicts might finally find peaceful solutions.
The primary proponent of this sociological theory for opening up Dead Magic Zones to multi-civilization expansion is Professor Orryn Talfough-Gogglefogger, a brilliant gnomish inventor and engineer. Like most gnomes, his home is the lost world Nebellion, and he has dedicated his life to mastering advanced technology that allows for miracles such as travel through Dead Magic Zones without the need for magic. Professor Orryn has recently developed a prototype device called a Talfough Matrix, capable of altering a ship’s Dark Matter engine to create an energy field around a vessel that will allow magic (and Dark Matter engines) to work in Dead Magic Zones.
Professor Orryn has tested his prototype on his own ship, the Caliber, and has proven that it works. Now he plans to meet with cultural and business leaders from around the ‘verse about investment, so that he can mass-produce Talfough Matrices and develop even smaller matrices that would fit on suits or clothing, allowing arcanists access to their magic on lost worlds without the need of a Dark Matter engine or ship. And so Professor Orryn has come to the seedy space slums of Port Nomad to meet with parties representing many races and interests. There are plenty of greedy expansionists who would kill to get their hands on Orryn’s technology, and even more war profiteers who would rather see the technology destroyed and the bloody status quo of the ‘verse maintained. Professor Orryn knows his life is at risk, and so he has hired you as bodyguards to protect him while he presents the proof of his prototype to a bar full of powerful attendees who may have their own motives and goals in mind.
Hi. You're probably confused, if you've never heard of Dark Matter by Mage Hand Press. Good! That gives me the opportunity to explain what the Hells is going on! So, from the art and the introduction, you can probably tell that this isn't an ordinary D&D campaign. No, no, no, why would I ever run something like that? This is D&D in space! But it's not just normal sci-fi, it's got a healthy dose of fantasy as well! Allow me to explain.
What is Dark Matter?
Dark Matter is is science-fiction conversion for 5th edition D&D, which allows you to play any sort of sci-fi scenario you want in D&D, with little to no rule changes, just a few extra simple and comprehensive new rules. The basic idea behind Dark Matter is this: "Any sufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology." In Dark Matter, magic has advanced to the stage where it emulates technology. A blaster? Technically, it's just a highly advanced evocation wand. A flying car? That's just a permanent levitation spell! Robots? They're just advanced golems! It comes along with a lot of new races, new feats, new backgrounds, new subclasses, and even a new class, the gadgeteer! Also, it has a bunch of really cool rules for zero-g combat, spaceships, blasters, and giant creatures!
What's the adventure?
The incredibly well-written adventure, Conspiracy in the Stars!, was recently published by Mage Hand Press as a part of their Dark Matter starter kit. It's inspired by classic noir, and involves both unraveling the intrigue revolving around a potential assassination, as well as a few shootouts on the ground and dogfights among the stars.
It's good shit.
How do I submit a character?
Don't. You don't yet have access to all the rules, all the lore, all the everything, I'll only be sharing that with my group after I've selected them. Instead, just let me know some other stuff. Also, PM me "Gogglefogger" to let me know you've been paying attention.
What's your D&D experience? What's your timezone? Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter? What's something interesting about yourself? Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
What's your D&D experience? Around a year of playing/DMing
What's your timezone? Mountain/Central
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter? Heard of it during your interest check and did some research on it.
What's something interesting about yourself? My favorite Sci-fi author is probably George R.R. Martin. Most people only know ASOIAF but he has way more sci-fi and in particular the stories set in his Thousand Worlds are awesome.
Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored. 99.99999999999999999999999999999999999999
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Iymbryl; Elven Eldritch Knight in DM Jynne's LMoP,
Maker; Vect Wizard of Automata in Conspiracy in the Stars,
Valhik Steeltemper, Gnome Blood Hunter in Archie's Tomb of Annihilation,
Kallaia, Tiefling Bard in Minotaur's Storm King's Thunder
My D&D experience consists of about 1 year, 98% as the DM. I've run some published modules (currently running Rime of the Frost Maiden IRL with my group twice a week), some home-brew, including several one-shots that I've written up and thinking about getting them published if I can get my daughter to do some illustrations for them.
My timezone is Pacific/West.
No, haven't heard of Dark Matter until just now, but it sounds great. I love D&D, and I love sci-fi, so I'm sure the two mashed together would be great!
One thing about me is that I grew a covid beard. I started in March and it's still going. My wife complained about it at times but I think she's come to terms. It helps that I've figured out how to trim the sides so it doesn't floof out laterally so much like a gnome. My co-workers take an interest and make comments. I don't care what they think. I have to wear a mask at work and the beard sticks well out the bottom of it, at this point. Who knows how long I'll grow it? Not even I know that.
The number I'll choose is 42. Yes, I read those books.
My D&D experience is a bit complicated. I played 3.5e for just a bit a few years ago, then 5e for a bit two years ago, and for the last 6 months some more 5e, which also got me to these forums. Not very experienced but not a complete newbie. What's your timezone? +02:00 GMT. Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter? Nope. I really like Sci-Fi though and this adventure seems like a cool concept. What's something interesting about yourself? I like to write stories. I almost never finish them, sadly, but I do write them still. Almost all of them are attempts to write something very different than normal literature in various ways (the latest attempt was writing a story in second-person. I have not given up on this but I do need to rethink a few things from my last failure). The reason I do it is that I find most new books, music and movies appalling because they are just recreations of the same things over and over again, only meant to sell and nothing more. Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored. 5. No number is better than 5.
What's your D&D experience? Originally introduced to AD&D at University in the early 1980s and then 2nd edition for 20 years before coming back to 5e 5 years ago. Have both DM'd and played. Currently active in several PbP campaigns. What's your timezone? Australian Eastern Summer Time = UTC +11 Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter? No What's something interesting about yourself? Originally trained as an archaeologist I have also worked as a Cave guide and once got a job in Far North Queensland as a result of a gun fight. Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored. 57 - my age. Yes I am officially an "Old Bastard"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond DM - Four bards walk into a bar... Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
What's your D&D experience? 5e, several years worth, mostly pbp, 1 year + as a DM
What's your timezone? US - EST
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter? I have, but it’s always fizzled before real play could begin
What's something interesting about yourself? I once tackled a schizophrenic dude on top of an apartment building to keep him from jumping off. Looking back on it, I realize how stupid that was if he had tried to take me with him
Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored. 16
What is your D&D experience: I have been DMing for my real life group for a few months and have never played as a player before.
What is your timezone: My timezone is EST.
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter: I never heard of Dark Matter until your interest check.
What is something interesting about yourself: I am currently in university studying physics, which may be why I like the idea of adding space to fantasy magic.
What's your D&D experience? Going on 5 years, about 4 of which I've also been a dm.
What's your timezone? Utc -5
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter? Not even a little bit I'd need happy to learn about it.
What's something interesting about yourself? I am a corrections officer and coming up with ideas to be fun and mesh well with groups is just behind playing games on my favorite hobbies.
Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored. Lucky #7
This sounds very interesting - I love the sci-fi combo with noir (Dark City is my favorite film of all time.) Gotta apply for this.
What's your D&D experience? Played off and on since 2003. I went to Pathfinder for a spell but gravitated back to D&D a few years ago. My in-person group disintegrated due to COVID, so I've been doing the PbP thing for about 3 months. What's your timezone? Eastern US Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter? None of the above. What's something interesting about yourself? I speak fluent Swedish -- spent some time studying over there. Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored. 52
What's your D&D experience? Been playing since the 70's What's your timezone? -10 GMT Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter? Nope, but still want to play What's something interesting about yourself? I've seen lava with my eyeballs. Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored. 37
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
What's your D&D experience? Just over a year - Since lockdown I took a group through The Lost Mines of Phandelver and go on to Tyranny of Dragons, which I'm also DMing two PbP versions of here too!
What's your timezone? GMT
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter? Absolutely not
What's something interesting about yourself? Out of a family of five, I am the only right handed.
Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored. 64
Hi. You're probably confused, if you've never heard of Dark Matter by Mage Hand Press. Good! That gives me the opportunity to explain what the Hells is going on! So, from the art and the introduction, you can probably tell that this isn't an ordinary D&D campaign. No, no, no, why would I ever run something like that? This is D&D in space! But it's not just normal sci-fi, it's got a healthy dose of fantasy as well! Allow me to explain.
What is Dark Matter?
Dark Matter is is science-fiction conversion for 5th edition D&D, which allows you to play any sort of sci-fi scenario you want in D&D, with little to no rule changes, just a few extra simple and comprehensive new rules. The basic idea behind Dark Matter is this: "Any sufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology." In Dark Matter, magic has advanced to the stage where it emulates technology. A blaster? Technically, it's just a highly advanced evocation wand. A flying car? That's just a permanent levitation spell! Robots? They're just advanced golems! It comes along with a lot of new races, new feats, new backgrounds, new subclasses, and even a new class, the gadgeteer! Also, it has a bunch of really cool rules for zero-g combat, spaceships, blasters, and giant creatures!
What's the adventure?
The incredibly well-written adventure, Conspiracy in the Stars!, was recently published by Mage Hand Press as a part of their Dark Matter starter kit. It's inspired by classic noir, and involves both unraveling the intrigue revolving around a potential assassination, as well as a few shootouts on the ground and dogfights among the stars.
It's good shit.
How do I submit a character?
Don't. You don't yet have access to all the rules, all the lore, all the everything, I'll only be sharing that with my group after I've selected them. Instead, just let me know some other stuff. Also, PM me "Gogglefogger" to let me know you've been paying attention.
What's your D&D experience?
What's your timezone?
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter?
What's something interesting about yourself?
Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored.
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Please respond in the thread, rather than PMs, because it makes me look lonely and sad if no one responds here but me.
I mean, I'm not saying I'm not lonely and sad, but still.
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
What's your D&D experience? Around a year of playing/DMing
What's your timezone? Mountain/Central
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter? Heard of it during your interest check and did some research on it.
What's something interesting about yourself? My favorite Sci-fi author is probably George R.R. Martin. Most people only know ASOIAF but he has way more sci-fi and in particular the stories set in his Thousand Worlds are awesome.
Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored. 99.99999999999999999999999999999999999999
Iymbryl; Elven Eldritch Knight in DM Jynne's LMoP,
Maker; Vect Wizard of Automata in Conspiracy in the Stars,
Valhik Steeltemper, Gnome Blood Hunter in Archie's Tomb of Annihilation,
Kallaia, Tiefling Bard in Minotaur's Storm King's Thunder
OK I'm interested.
My D&D experience consists of about 1 year, 98% as the DM. I've run some published modules (currently running Rime of the Frost Maiden IRL with my group twice a week), some home-brew, including several one-shots that I've written up and thinking about getting them published if I can get my daughter to do some illustrations for them.
My timezone is Pacific/West.
No, haven't heard of Dark Matter until just now, but it sounds great. I love D&D, and I love sci-fi, so I'm sure the two mashed together would be great!
One thing about me is that I grew a covid beard. I started in March and it's still going. My wife complained about it at times but I think she's come to terms. It helps that I've figured out how to trim the sides so it doesn't floof out laterally so much like a gnome. My co-workers take an interest and make comments. I don't care what they think. I have to wear a mask at work and the beard sticks well out the bottom of it, at this point. Who knows how long I'll grow it? Not even I know that.
The number I'll choose is 42. Yes, I read those books.
My D&D experience is a bit complicated. I played 3.5e for just a bit a few years ago, then 5e for a bit two years ago, and for the last 6 months some more 5e, which also got me to these forums. Not very experienced but not a complete newbie.
What's your timezone? +02:00 GMT.
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter? Nope. I really like Sci-Fi though and this adventure seems like a cool concept.
What's something interesting about yourself? I like to write stories. I almost never finish them, sadly, but I do write them still. Almost all of them are attempts to write something very different than normal literature in various ways (the latest attempt was writing a story in second-person. I have not given up on this but I do need to rethink a few things from my last failure). The reason I do it is that I find most new books, music and movies appalling because they are just recreations of the same things over and over again, only meant to sell and nothing more.
Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored. 5. No number is better than 5.
Varielky | Emma
What's your D&D experience?
Originally introduced to AD&D at University in the early 1980s and then 2nd edition for 20 years before coming back to 5e 5 years ago. Have both DM'd and played. Currently active in several PbP campaigns.
What's your timezone?
Australian Eastern Summer Time = UTC +11
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter?
No
What's something interesting about yourself?
Originally trained as an archaeologist I have also worked as a Cave guide and once got a job in Far North Queensland as a result of a gun fight.
Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored.
57 - my age. Yes I am officially an "Old Bastard"
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
What's your D&D experience? 5e, several years worth, mostly pbp, 1 year + as a DM
What's your timezone? US - EST
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter? I have, but it’s always fizzled before real play could begin
What's something interesting about yourself? I once tackled a schizophrenic dude on top of an apartment building to keep him from jumping off. Looking back on it, I realize how stupid that was if he had tried to take me with him
Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored. 16
Paladin - warforged - orange
What is your D&D experience: I have been DMing for my real life group for a few months and have never played as a player before.
What is your timezone: My timezone is EST.
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter: I never heard of Dark Matter until your interest check.
What is something interesting about yourself: I am currently in university studying physics, which may be why I like the idea of adding space to fantasy magic.
Pick a number between 1 and 100: 49
Withdrawn
What's your D&D experience? Going on 5 years, about 4 of which I've also been a dm.
What's your timezone? Utc -5
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter? Not even a little bit I'd need happy to learn about it.
What's something interesting about yourself? I am a corrections officer and coming up with ideas to be fun and mesh well with groups is just behind playing games on my favorite hobbies.
Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored. Lucky #7
What's your D&D experience? 6 months of player experience, limited to PbP
Timezone: Mountain Standard (GMT-6)
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter? No, but it seems super fun.
Something interesting about me? I'm autistic. It's a small thing but I feel like I should let y'all know.
Pick a number from 1 to 100. 69. No, not because of the memes. Don't you "nice" me. It's just the first number that came to my head.
So temped to apply. So many papers to grade. My hard copy of the Dark Matter kickstarter is on its way to me. Wish you all great rolls/roles.
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
This sounds very interesting - I love the sci-fi combo with noir (Dark City is my favorite film of all time.) Gotta apply for this.
What's your D&D experience? Played off and on since 2003. I went to Pathfinder for a spell but gravitated back to D&D a few years ago. My in-person group disintegrated due to COVID, so I've been doing the PbP thing for about 3 months.
What's your timezone? Eastern US
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter? None of the above.
What's something interesting about yourself? I speak fluent Swedish -- spent some time studying over there.
Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored. 52
oh noes, I'll retype what I sent by PMs then...
What's your D&D experience?
About 3 years of D&D now?
What's your timezone?
You can count on me to post whenever!
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter?
I did, but after asking the DM now it turns out that he homebrewed most of it. I've never actually read the module or the materials though.
What's something interesting about yourself?
I practice martial arts and swordsmanship but still 100% a nerd (⌐■_■
Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored.
44, cuz I'm edgy like that
I’ll maybe leave this open till morning, then I’ll make my selection. Remember to read the whole first post!
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
What's your D&D experience? Been playing since the 70's
What's your timezone? -10 GMT
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter? Nope, but still want to play
What's something interesting about yourself? I've seen lava with my eyeballs.
Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored. 37
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
What's your D&D experience?
Just over a year - Since lockdown I took a group through The Lost Mines of Phandelver and go on to Tyranny of Dragons, which I'm also DMing two PbP versions of here too!
What's your timezone?
GMT
Have you heard of/played/purchased Dark Matter?
Absolutely not
What's something interesting about yourself?
Out of a family of five, I am the only right handed.
Pick a number between 1 and 100, this is incredibly important and not just a random question I decided to add because I was bored.
64
Recruitment is closed, if you don't receive a PM within the next... oh, let's say five minutes, you're probably not chosen :)
If you do, you probably are. Because the PM will say you are.
The PM is correct.
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Well, I’ve been waiting for something like this for a long time. And I missed it by a few days. Critical Failure.