I would like to inquire about the nature of the Pristine Tower, of which I know very little. In fact, I only know that it is a powerful artifact with mutagenic properties and was used in conjunction with the Dark Lens to transform Rajaat's disciples into his champions and even that I do not know any further details of. Hence I have several questions about the Pristine Tower:
1) When and how was the Pristine Tower created and for what purpose?
2) Is the Pristine Tower destructible and if so how?
3) Has the Pristine Tower been involved in any major events in Athas?
4) Is the Pristine Tower in any way related to lifeshaping? Due to its mutagenic effects, I would even postulate that it is a lifeshaping artifact.
5) Are there any mechanical rules (crunch rather than fluff) regarding the Pristine Tower, its mutagenic effects and its other powers (if any) and if so what are these rules?
Thanks a bunch!
Most, if not all, your question can be answered in athas.org's Dregoth Ascending pt. III.
It is good to know that the answers can be found in a downloadable publication, bu I am reluctant to look through Dregoth Ascending, since it is an adventure and I still hope to play Dark Sun someday (currently, I have no D&D group and nobody seems interested in an online game
) and the DM might use the adventure.-Friend's Reverence
Surviving nature-masters create the Pristine Tower to destroy the Brown Tide. This action changes the sun from blue to yellow, destroying the halfling civilization and bringing about The Rebirth.
-King's Defiance
After nearly two centuries of experiments Rajaat discovers the basics of magic, but is nearly killed in the process. After recovering he leaves the Jagged Cliffs and travels to the Pristine Tower to refine the magic process, creating defiling and preserving magic. The Time of Magic begins.
-Guthay's Reverence
After three eons of study, Rajaat emerges from the Pristine Tower to teach magic to the Rebirth races. He teaches preserving magic openly, and defiling magic in secret to those of "questionable" character. For the next 1,500 years Rajaat studies how magic interacts with the Rebirth races, and decides that humans have the most potential of all to suit his needs.
-Priest's Contemplation
Rajaat sends all but a few of his students away. Using the power of the Pristine Tower and the mysterious Dark Lens Rajaat creates his Champions. Each Champion is ordered to eliminate one specific race from the face of Athas in an effort to bring about the return of the Blue Age. The Cleansing Wars begin.
-Dragon's Agitation (Free Year 3)
In an effort to protect Tyr from the Dragon, Sadira seeks out the Pristine Tower and its ancient magic. In return for her pledge to slay the Borys of Ebe the shadow giants of the Pristine Tower transform her into the Sun Wizard, giving her power akin to that of a sorcerer-king.
What the time line fails to detail is that the Tower was also used to morph the rhulisti into the Rebrith races, that it turned the sun from yellow to red when Rajaat made the Champions, and was used in conjuction with the Dark Lens to change Borys into the Dragon of Tyr.
So, it appears that my theory about the Pristine Tower being a lifeshaping artifact may be correct.
BTW: Is the Pristine Tower the most 'powerful' artifact in Dark Sun? Or is it the Dark Lens, or some other artifact entirely?
It is intriquing that Rajaat is mentioned to discover the principles of magic and then to create preserving and defiling magic. The two highlighted words are quite different. Hmm, Rajaat refined the magic process at the Pristine Tower, I wonder if it aided him in the matter somehow...
Also, what are the Rebirth races? I know this is a stupid question, but it has been a while since I had a chance to look at Dark Sun materials...
What is a 'Sun wizard'?
Last question: Are there any mechanical rules for the Pristine Tower and what are they?
It is intriquing that Rajaat is mentioned to discover the principles of magic and then to create preserving and defiling magic. The two highlighted words are quite different. Hmm, Rajaat refined the magic process at the Pristine Tower, I wonder if it aided him in the matter somehow...
Well it is not that strange or different - it is like discovering gravity and then creating the mathematical formula to interpret gravity. The energy and forces needed to power arcane magic where always there, they just needed to be found and then tapped into by those with the ability and knowledge of how to do so. So it is correct to say that he discovered magic, and then created the means to use the magic.
BTW: Is the Pristine Tower the most 'powerful' artifact in Dark Sun? Or is it the Dark Lens, or some other artifact entirely?
Can't really say. They each do different things.They are undoubtly the most prominent items in Athas' history.
Also, what are the Rebirth races? I know this is a stupid question, but it has been a while since I had a chance to look at Dark Sun materials...
The rhulisti changed themselves into other races (i.e. elves, dwarves, orcs, etc...) which are commonly refered to as the Rebirth races.
What is a 'Sun wizard'?
In its basic form? A being that has the power to harness the sun's light in order to cast spells. Sadira is the only known Sun wizard to exist on Athas currently.
Last question: Are there any mechanical rules for the Pristine Tower and what are they?
Its effects are detailed in DA-III. Can't really copy and paste them here though.
Well it is not that strange or different - it is like discovering gravity and then creating the mathematical formula to interpret gravity. The energy and forces needed to power arcane magic where always there, they just needed to be found and then tapped into by those with the ability and knowledge of how to do so. So it is correct to say that he discovered magic, and then created the means to use the magic.
Fair enough - I was not sure whether not to interpret it as him actually creating magic with the aid of the Pristine Tower after learning of the possibility to create such (the basic principles and all).
Can't really say. They each do different things.They are undoubtly the most prominent items in Athas' history.
The rhulisti changed themselves into other races (i.e. elves, dwarves, orcs, etc...) which are commonly refered to as the Rebirth races.
In its basic form? A being that has the power to harness the sun's light in order to cast spells. Sadira is the only known Sun wizard to exist on Athas currently.
Its effects are detailed in DA-III. Can't really copy and paste them here though.
Interesting stuff!
As to the mechanical rules, I guess might have to give up on seeing them if I want to avoid spoiling a potential adventure, though it lies in the indefinite future and assumes I find a Dark Sun game and that the DM will run this adventure and not some other... unlikely to ever be in the adventure... hence so tempting to look... must resist! :D