The Dustlands. Historians have argued for centuries over where the Dustlands came from, and how. Some believe it to be a product of a natural phenomenon. That the sands in the great waste naturally seem to draw life and magic from all things that venture over it. Some believe that a natural disaster destroyed the area, creating the vast expanses of uninhabitable sand. Others believe that the Dustlands were created by mortal aspirations. That, whether intentional or not, some grand plan devastated the land, turning it into a sprawling desert rife with turbulent sandstorms.
There are tales, however, that there was once a kingdom out in the wastes. A lush utopia of magical ingenuity, a place where people lived without needs. A paradise of hedonism. They say that the mortals within studied magic for the sake of studying it, rising up above what mortals were meant to achieve and even challenging the gods. That the end result was the complete devastation of the kingdom and all that lies within it.
Most historians agree that such tales are flights of fancy. The wastes have existed for a thousand years at least, and any primitive society certainly couldn't have done what the great nations of today still struggle to do. Or at least... That's what the historians used to agree.
For now, in perhaps the first time in a millennia, the great storms of sand that always raged at the center of the waste have stilled, revealing the expansive ruins of a fallen kingdom. Archeologists from every nation have set out on an expedition to delve into its secrets, calling for the aid of any adventurer willing to risk life and limb for fame and fortune.
Only the brave or the foolish need apply.
So, this is my attempt at running a rather simple D&D 3.5 setting. I say simple in that I'm not looking for people to play optimized builds, and flavor and storytelling are going to be the main focus.
The setting is similar to that of FF12, if you've played it. There are several great nations and city states that exist in a tenuous balance with each other, what those nations are and how they act is something I'm willing to work with if you'd like something specific for your character's background, but in general... The world is filled with those who still fight with swords and shields, as well as magic. Magical weapons, rechargeable magical crystals, and airships are all common place.
Monsters are almost a common sight outside of city walls, with great guilds of adventurers who are hired to hunt down particularly bothersome individuals.
And at the very center of the explored world lies the Dustlands. A vast area of hostile desert where things just don't work right. Airships refuse to fly over it, most traders go around it, and the monsters within are twister mockeries of what are found elsewhere. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to escort a team of archeologists into the massive ruins of a city in the middle. Easy, right?
Starting characters are level 1, with about 2000g to spend on gear. Give me your best shot.
For flavor purposes, if you want to mess around with races, Ie. Keeping stats the same but changing appearances, I'm okay with that.
As always questions are welcome.
