I wondered how others handle this. I’m trying to find a solution to how slaves are identified, and captured back into slavery. I realize anyone can be made a slave somehow, but can’t you travel without renegade slavers capturing you, tattooing you and claiming you’re they’re slave? Does every freeman need to carry tablets, or do slavers have to prove you are a slave?

I realize that if you run away, you’re worth a lot, and your owners will immediately make efforts to track you down specifically. But what about slave tribes, and others who are somehow identified, maybe long after anyone alive remembers having a claim over them?

If you have tats, do you have to carry I.D.?

The most logical way I could think, would be that every freeman must carry proof of freedom. That would be dumb though, and unrealistic. I can’t imagine a merchant caravan getting pulled over by slavers looking for run-away slaves. And if you had a Tyr license, would it still be good somewhere else? How do you guys handle this?

More on this:
As a guy who captures random run-away slaves, what would you look for? How could you lay claim to a bunch of tattooed Muls just because they are probably all runaway slaves? What sort of proof would you look for?
How does one legally become a slave? being in debt maybe. It just seems like most slaves would be acquired through raiding. I could maybe see a city state claiming slave spoils of a defeated people and claiming they are legally slaves. Would it still count in Tyr though? Can you even take your slaves to Tyr anymore?

Sensei,
Depending upon where the slaves are from, I currently use different rules. Also, how expensive and important the slaves are will reflect on how much effort (as a slaver) I would go through in order to identify or recover them.
For instance, Urik would have papers, back up papers, tatoos, and probably a necklace identifying who the slave belonged to, but that is because it is a military culture with lots of paperwork, and even more rules.
Personally, if I had slaves, I would brand them, and perhaps use something like a slave ring from the DMG on the expensive ones. A collar might prove more useful as it would provide some place to chain them up if they were out of order or attempted escape.
Now, if I were a head hunter and my job was to catch run away slaves, the first thing I’d get extremely good at would be forgery. Run across a bunch of tatooed Muls that insist that they are free? Some poison and a few brands later I would have fulfilled my quota of the run aways. I would adopt the theory, if they don’t look like nobles, or anyone from a trading house, and it looks like I might be able to take them, they are up for grabs as slaving material. (Elves probably not being worth the effort.)
My ruling for the slaves of Tyr was that the act of owning slaves within Tyr is illegal. So, once inside Tyr, slaves are freemen, and having them is against the law. That is just my take on things, however, and money and power can change everything.

Considering the barbaric setting of Athas I would get a little more evil. Marking slaves could be as simple as an indescreet tattoo or brand. You could clip ears or tongues, remove the tip of a certain finger or toe. Use your imagination, slaves are no more than cattle and property to their owners. As long as they can continue performing their assigned tasks it should be no holds barred ie. crippling a scholar. Carrying “paperwork” or ID seems absurd in a world with little resources to spare. It’s hard to fake a missing eye.

Paperwork would only be within Urik. From what I recall Urik is the city that has a rule for when you can sit in a shadow, and for how long. Paperwork, or more likely a crystal psionic version of it, I think would be a natural extension of that.
I’d get iffy about actually harming the cattle with something that would make them less useful. A branding would work quite nicely. Tattoos wouldn’t be bad, however I believe there is a psionic power where you can modify non-psionic tattoos.
Faces of the forgotten north have slave collars lesser, regular, and greater.

I look at slavery differently. In the cities everyone knows who the slaves are through social norms. i.e. slaves are all dressed a certain way or in a particular color, have the same hair cut or have their heads shaved, are tattooed or forced to wear some symbol of bondage such as a chain or collar. If a slave runs away from his master and stays in the city, he stands out and will quickly be identified.

If he flees into the desert, I do not think the master is going to send someone after him, unless the slave is very valuable, such as a popular gladiator. In which case the slave hunters are hunting for a particular individual.
Otherwise the master just buys a replacement slave.

Paperwork is not going to work because no one other than the templars are suppose to read. So how are the slave hunters going to be able to read the papers.

For slave hunters in the wild, it does not matter to them who claims to be free and who is a runaway slave. Slavery is a result of losing a battle, not something you are born into or not. So if the slave hunters came across anyone in the desert they just decide if they are strong enough to raid them or not.

In Tyr slavery is outlawed as is slave trading. So you cannot take a slave into Tyr, however, City-State of Tyr implied merchants could have slaves in their caravan as long as the caravan remained outside the city’s walls. (There is an adventure hook to free a slave in a merchant caravan that stopped at Tyr.)

I like your idea of always being unsafe from slave chasers. I call it the bully rule. According to this rule, if you were a nobleman or from a merchant house you’d have enough slave guards with you that no one would try to bully you. If you were a poor freeman you have to catch a ride, or find some kind of backup. Even with precautions though, you could still be met with an overwhelming force, and eaten, let alone sold into slavery.
But what about this? You are an independent slave chaser kinda guy and have found a young human with ripped up clothes. You take him to the nearest city to sell. He didn’t want to tell you he was on a Nobles coming of age ritual, where he has to survive on his own for a week. He ends up on an auction block in his home city. Or worse, dies on the way home. Is the slaver guy in trouble? I know all cities would be different. I’d like there to be an illegal element to slavery as well. I don’t think it’d be as fun if there was no way to break the law regarding slavery. I know it wouldn’t be cool to kidnap citizens in any city state. You could steal slaves from someone else. Maybe try to change the tattoo or branding. I’ve heard of cattle rustlers trying to steal cattle by making a near identical brand that could fit inside an existing brand, effectively covering it up.
I think merchant houses and nobles that mark their slaves would have some kind of standing finders reward for recovering any slave in hiding or in the wild. Some might be worth more than others. Some trusted slaves could be made to carry paperwork instead of being marked.
You could offer traveling freeman, a travelers pass, or proof of freedom. In the “Rome” series, it sounds like they have some sort of registry for slaves. A character had to visit this registry place to free his slave. What I don’t understand is, why would they register slaves and not freemen instead. Why would you want to carry proof of being a slave (besides not being sold up river to the Sorcerer King). It seems like you’d be careful to carry your free papers if you’re an ex slave. but why would anyone know in the first place? What if you were a dirty looking dude who everyone assumes is a slave? I know it’s the same questions, but I like this topic.

Well for your example about the young human with the ripped up clothes. Yes I think the slaver is in trouble and had better try to flee the city as soon as possible. But that type of situation is going to be very rare, I do not see Tableland cities setting up a whole system of identification just to counter it.

There could certainly be stealing of slaves from their owner, but any such accusations would just be handled by whoever bribes the templar-judge more. They may make some token cover up of a brand on the slave, but probably would not have to go through much trouble.

For illegal activities regarding slaves, how about selling the sorcerer-king’s/ city’s slaves without approval.

As for Rome and registries, I believed they registered everyone. Not just slave and free but social class you fell into as well. But I do not think they carried any papers with them. There could very well be registries in the city-states, listings of nobles, free men, and slaves.

The slaves are going to be identified by their dress/ hair cut/ or other identifiable marks, as well as behavior – walk with their head down/ never look a freeman in the eye. If the dirty looking dude looks and acts like the slaves in the city he is going to be tried like a slave. If he is a freeman, when would he want to do that? To get into fights so he can defend his freedom? Either he is going to change his dress or he is going to be a slave.

As far as the torn up slave noble is concerned, it would depend on who found out that he was enslaved/dead. If someone had something to gain from it (depending on how cutthroat they were) it might be an issue of paying them to shut them up, or killing them to make sure that they didnt’ talk.

I like the registry for the slaves. In fact, a psi crystal or an obsidian orb as living registry would be interesting and could lead to some adventure leads.

I’m going to start a new thread on “Dark Sun DNA”, to see if anyone has any other cool ideas on ways to make a living registry. I’ll definitely re-read the rules on psi crystals and such.

If I’m not mistaken, a good bit of Social Class can be determined by a persons name, their appearance, and their behaviors. This is a concept sort of lost on most Americans (of which I am one) b/c we do not typically have ‘social classes’ in the traditional sense of the term. However, in the old world, and even up until and through WWII, we saw a good deal of prejudice and social class identification simply by looking at a person’s facial features, getting their name, and various other ‘tells’ that gave them away as being of or part of a particular social stratus.
With this in mind I am reminded of the detail put into each City State about the dress, look, and basic lifestyle of most city dwellers. Some other content gives some clues to the same information of Client Villages, Slave Villages, and the like. I would think it would be near second nature for most Templar’s to identify someone’s class simply by looking them over. A Nibenese Noble, for instance, would have a round, tanned face with straight, black hair wrapped in a kramas (head scarf) of checkered or patterned (to denote his family) and would wear brightly colored clothing that was either loosely fit, or showed some degree of tanned skin since “clothing is the refuge of the ashamed” in Nibenay. Though only the Patriarchs of Noble and Merchant families as well as the Wives of Nibenay would dare claim the honor of going about completely naked. A noble’s behavior would be that of expected luxury and entitlement. He would simply expect respect and favor from nearly anyone around him save nobles of higher social standing than himself and the templarate.

A freeman from Nibenay would still have a round-ish face with straight, black hair wrapped in a kramas (though likely only plain or checkered). He would also wear a brightly colored shirt, though not near a fine as a nobles in make. He would likely have wear on his clothing and body from a life of work in whatever field he had chosen as a youth, and would also have the trappings of said trade (I.e. a potter would wear an apron, have constantly stained fingers and fingernails from the white or red clay, and show signs of dry skin and early aging on his face from long hours of work at the wheel, board, or hot kiln. He may wear sandals or boots depending on his profession. A freeman’s behavior would be that of a hard-working family man. He would likely have many children and several wives (in Nibenay), and would be consumed with running his house and business. His range of knowledge would be limited to his trade and a few other things, but he would have little else to discuss properly other than these things. His attitude would be that of quiet contentment, possibly happy with his lot in life or wanting more, but never allowing himself to overstep his status.

A slave from Nibenay would sill have a round, tanned face with straight, black hair, but he would not have nice clothes or any possessions at all. All he needs is supplied by his master. He may have drab clothing that is more durable and functional than decorative. He may have sandals, but most likely not, and he probably would not have a kramas unless he were a slave of some high honor or function to a lenient owner. He would surely show signs of early aging from a rough life with few to no luxuries and his clothing would easily tell the tale of his labors since it would be his one and only change of clothes. He may have lash marks, rope burn or shackle scars about his wrists, ankles or neck, and he would certainly have lost some teeth and show other signs of an unkempt lifestyle. A slave’s behavior would be that of one who knew many masters. He would never consider looking anyone in the eye unless it be another slave in the privacy of a safe place. He would know his place, and seek only to please his master lest he find himself once again under the lash or baking in the sun for disobedience. He would never dare step above his status unless the situation were extreme and even then he would be severely under-qualified and under-educated to perform the role of even a freeman very well.

This is all slightly 2-dimensional, but it gives a decent layout of what to expect. Slaves would not have jewelry, but nobles and merchants might. However, PCs sort of break these rules, and I get the need for devices or methods to detect Social Status. I do believe driving home some of the above in-game is a good place to start though. I also seem to remember the ancient church recording births at Christenings (sp?) as well as recording population via census (hmm..this was happening during Biblical times, it’s why Mary and Joseph returned to Bethlahem, b/c there was a census and Joseph had to register…). Tattoos and other markings also came to mind, but that is already done with slaves, so it probably wouldn’t work well with other Classes unless they were used as say Guild markings, or Noble or Merchant family markings. I use them in my game for elf tribes too. It seemed to fit.

I would think each city-state has its own, unique system of identification. Now I’m away from my computer that has my Dark Sun information on it so I’m going from memory here.

Balic: I’m not sure of, but dress code may have some indication based off Greco-roman culture. Well dressed, lightly tanned skin (showing that one doesn’t work in the sun) would indicate someone of noble birth, where as a ratty kilt or loincloth and heavily tanned skin would indicate a slave.

Draj: Again not sure but I’m willing to bet it has something to do with feathers and jewelry.

Gulg: I think there was mention of jewelry (the fetishes maybe) of sorts that identified an individual.

Nibenay: Harsh’s post seems close, but keep in mind that Nibenay is described as a close-knit culture where it matters more with who you know rather than who you are. Also there’s a statue of the Shadow King located in the House of Law that knows the identity and status of every person officially living in Nibenay.

Raam: He he, does anyone really know in that melting pot of chaos.

Tyr: I truly have no idea here.

Urik: I wouldn’t be surprised if every citizen carried some form of token identifying themselves cross referenced to records maintained by the templars, visitors would have visa like passes, slaves having nothing (same said for PC’s sneaking into town or simply avoiding the gate guards).

I think the OP is too generous. My impression is that anyone can become a slave at any time, regardless of their breeding.

If you encounter slavers in the desert, you either have to escape them, defeat them, or pay them off. Slavers don’t care about your social station. If they encounter a noble in the desert, they will take him if they can. All the slavers have to do is sell the noble in a different City State. Any noble with common sense will always travel with body guards. Slavers might treat a captured noble differently though, as he is probably worth more as a hostage for ransom than he is as a slave. While a pampered noble might fetch a few silver on the market, his family will likely pay a much higher price to have him returned safely.

In cities, anyone can be pressed into slavery for virtually any infraction. Sometimes slavers even operate within the city walls, capturing the homeless in the poor neighbourhoods, or grabbing freemen while they sleep. Its a quick way to make some money. Again, nobles will always travel with body guards, but if they do get into trouble, they will usually bribe city officials or by having their family appeal to the magistrate.

Remember that most Athasian nobles received their titles because they, or their ancestors, performed some exceptional service or deed for their Sorceror King, and the Sorceror King granted the family noble-status as a reward. Therefore, enslaving a noble without authority from the Sorceror King could be considered a offence against the king.

As for identifying slaves, I always imagined most slaves are branded by their owners. The brand is likely to be placed in a highly visible location like a cheek, forehead or neck. Slave owners will have documents of ownership which probably include fingerprints and a physical description, but these documents are probably kept in a vault at the noble’s home, not carried on his person. The slaves might also have a number branded on them which corresponds to the paperwork.

I generally prefer my fantasy settings to be as magic-lite as possible (and in the case of DS, magic includes psionics). I always prefer that magic is reserved for a few ‘special’ and ‘learned’ people. When you start having things like magic identification orbs at every city gate, it starts to water down the realism of the setting and creates all kinds of inconsistencies and other issues… but I’m an old-school player.

Interesting topic of discussioin.
I would have to agree with The_New_Order – anyone can become a slave at any time, regardless of their breeding or social status. Athas is about survival, and if you plan on wandering the deserts without the ability to protect yourself, your chances of being captured and becoming a slave may be pretty high.

As far as how to recognise a slave, I agree that in a society such as that on Athas, people would just be able to tell, much as people today can distinguish between the “have’s” and “have not’s”. Branding may be an option, or clipping an ear maybe, possibly even a neck, arm or leg shackle. Of course all of these could be overcome or disguised, which is why slavers and slave keepers are so cruel – they beat their slaves into submission. Remember, Athas is a cruel and dangerous place. It is not generally accepted for slave to become free citizens.

What I would also keep in mind, however, is that with the proliferation of psionics on Athas, I would have to assume that many groups of slavers would most likely be able to include a telepathic who could determine if someone was previously a slave or not.

All in all, this is probably a case by case question, resolved by the DM or group. But as I said before, an interesting topic.

I also like magic item and psionic item light campaigns. My orb suggestion was that of one (if that) in a city state. It would be used in cases where bribery and blackmail were out of the question. I could imagine a SK who is going off the deep end would require something very much like this. Who knows, could even just be a front that is nothing more than a puppet controlled by higher up templars who are using it for personal gains or to silence the nobility.
Ideally most cases would simply revert to the branding of the cattle.

Well the thing is yah alot of people are taken on the false pretence that were slaves. and the local goverment probably looks the other way or does it them selves! the goverment or slavers arn’t going to try to make some compex system witch gets rid a good chunk of their income. slavers are evil corrupt people, but tattos or magical glyphs on slaves isnt out of the question. but paperwork for every citezen… doesnt make much sence. also if a slave does excape everybody would be on alert, or the look out maybe the slavers posted a notice and a reward for finding them. WANTED posters maybe. the cops would be looking for him and returning to the same city would be a bad idea…