Requirements
30-60 minutes of work per week
Dark Sun enthusiast.
Editor (PDF and/pr microsoft word- ie better than me doesn't actually have to write anything if you don't want to)
Idea
Create a Dark Sun plotline for future timeline campaign setting. Setting focus would be the revivial of Athas. Each city is ruled again by a Sorcerer King/Queen. Sadira Sorcerer Queen of Tyr?? Why not?;) ). No metaplot a'la Eberron- heres the situation knock yourselves out. Focus on the Tyr Region from the 1st boxed set, and keep it simple like the 1st boxed set. A few paragraphs on various features in the region with a slightly longer section on each city.
Set the timeline far enough into the future the Prism Pentad is basically ancient history. If anyones keen I could add your name to the bottom of this post.
I'll help. It sounds intreguing. I am curious to here more about your plans. How "Dark-Sunny" is this going to be with a theme of the revival of Athas? I can also edit if nobody else does. We can at least form a nice Word document if not a pdf.
I had some ideas about various power groups trying to restore Athas and the Sorcerer Kings letting them as long as they don't try and oppose them.
My idea was Sadira has used Kalaks pyramid to focus an epic spell to syphon off energy from the Cerulean Storm. Essentially she has tame dit and their are no more Tyr storms and rainfall has increased in the Ringing Mountains and water now flows under the Elven bridge in Tyr- the River Agis. The world is marginally nicer and Preservers don't get killed on sight as much but still have to be careful.
I decided on FY 1000 as that gives time for Andropinis to return along with Hamanu if you follow Rise and Fall of a Dragon King. Give Raam to Dregoth and bump up King Tut in Draj to full SK status.
Athas FY 1015
Balic
The Sorcerer King Andropinis once ruled Balic before he was deposed over a thousand years ago. He returned over seven hundred years ago and reclaimed his city. Over the years due to increased trade with surrounding cities and improved rainfall Balic now has a population of around 50000 beings although only around half of that number are free with the rest being slaves. Recently Balic was involved in a short war with Razia the so called Queen of Silt who rules Waverly. The brief war ended when Balics Silt Skimmer fleet was destroyed just off the coast in the Battle of Anaeas a small village on the same island a rebuilt Waverly now stands. Templars of Razia lead a counter attack which was easily repulsed by Balics elite soldiers.
In the centuries since his return Andropinis has shown a more martial side than during his previous reign. Every freeman in Balic must serve in the army and training begins at the age of seven. While not the biggest army in the Tyr region Balic now has perhaps the finest and has held their own versus numerous foes. Several times forces from Tyr have invaded Balic to free the Helots that underpin the Balican economy but each time the army of Balic has managed to repulse them. With the recent destruction of their fleet however and due to the army being needed at home to supervise the slaves only a small fraction of Balics army can be deployed at any given time.
Government: Today Andropinis and his Templars rule Balic with an iron fist. Andropinis like to currently present himself as a warrior King and is often seen in his palace wearing bronze armor. In reality Andropinis is a 4th stage LE Dragon who currently does not wish to advance any further due to the rage a 5th stage Dragon starts to undergo due to the pain of the draconic transformation. He despises Sadira of Tyr and Razia of Waverly and currently only envoys of Hamanu can easily get an audience with him.
Trade and Commerce: Balic is more or less self sufficient in food as its citizens seem to be content with their rather plain diets. The economy is supported by slaves while personal wealth is despised. Balicans use iron bars in trade and sometimes export surplus food. The few Balican merchants tend to be female as it is regarded as womens work while the men are in the army and the few remaining silt captains are almost universally female. Balic imports little usually raw material they don't have access to. Several small colonies in the Sea of Silt have been established to provide resources so Balic can be independent of other cities.
Draj
Immortal Atzetuk rules Draj and has done so for at least a thousand years. He replaced the previous Kings and has somehow gained the ability to channel spell power to his Templars known as moon priests. Draj is situated on a large fertile mud flat and over the years its population has reached 40000 beings. Three great causeways connect the city to the surrounding land while the mudflats provide a natural moat for the city. The surrounding area is quite fertile and Draj frequently has excess food for trade.
Atzetuk is one of the weaker Kings of the Tyr region and is stuck between Raam to the west and the Silt Sea to the east. In some ways he has become a vassal of Dregoth who rules Raam. He has also entertained envoys from Razia of Waverly who are offering bribes for him to break his alliance with Dregoth but for now Atzetuk knows better. While Draj itself is easily defended from an invading army Atzetuk knows his city is vulnerable to the might of another Sorcerer King.
Government: Today Draj is ruled by Atzetuk (human male/2nd stage Dragon)who is one of the weakest of the Dragon Kings. Atzetuk is a second stage dragon who ascended to that position relatively recently compared to the older Sorcerer Kings of the Tyr region. He is rarely seen as his moon priests tend to run Draj and perform human sacrifices in his name. Atzetuk long ago purged the Templars and Psionist of the House of the Mind who sought to use him as their puppet. It is unknown how Atzetuk gained the ability to channel spells to his Templars which was previously limited to the original Sorcerer Kings.
Trade and Commerce: Around half of Draj exports go west to Raam to feed the surging population of that city. Most of what is left is either sent north or to Urik in exchange for obsidian. No one merchant house controls trade from Draj as the previous trade house Tsalaxa collapsed centuries ago.
Conditions in Draj: Few people want to visit Draj and most traders only go as far as the causeways leading to the city itself. Draj warriors often raid the surrounding areas for slaves and war captives for sacrifice. Foreigners are looked down upon if not killed and assaulted in the city streets. The citizens are well fed and are proud of their King and city. Travelers from Raam seem to have a lot of accidents in the city or tend to go missing.
Gulg
Over the centuries few things have changed in Gulg. The Oba Lalali-Puy still rules and her subjects believe her to be the Forest Goddess although she has also taken to calling herself the rain goddess due to the slightly higher rainfall the Tyr region has been getting thanks to Sadira of Tyr. Gulg has around 18000 inhabitants and the Goddess owns everything and distributes food and water to the citizens. It is difficult if not impossible for someone to become a citizen of Gulg due to the cultural difference from the rest of the Tyr region. In Gulg nobility is earned not a birthright.
In previous centuries Gulg has maintained a fierce rivalry with the city of Nibenay although in recent centuries they are almost allies. Tension exists with Raam due to personal animosity between Dregoth ad Lalali-Puy as she was one of the original champions who attacked him. Otherwise Gulg is generally regarded as to small and isolated to be a true threat to anyone.
Government: Unknown to the other Sorcerer Monarchs Lalali-Puy has transformed herself from a Dragon to an Avangion. She is currently a LE (LN tendencies) human female/ 3rd stage Avangion. She has also quietly made preserving magic legal and defiling illegal upon pain of death. Unlike other Avangions she regards it as another means to more power although she does have a genuine concern about the welfare of Athas. In her mind the means justify the ends and she became a Avangion to avoid the rage period of the dragon transformation process. She has a council of advisor's which is perhaps the largest concentration of preservers on Athas outside of the Veiled Alliance.
Trade and Commerce: Gulg is short of most natural resources apart form wood and imports metals, obsidian and finished goods while exporting a variety of exotic timbers, spices, and animal products. Foreign traders are welcome in Gulg as long as they stay inside enclaves and don't interact with the average Gulgan. Only Templars are allowed to engage in trade inside Gulg although several merchant houses export Gulgan produce to other cities.
Nibenay
In recent years Nibenay has been skirmishing with Raam to the north. It would seem that Dregoth is testing Nibenay's defenses. The Sorcerer King Nibenay has not been seen in public for nearly a century and even most of his Templars have not seen him although they seem to have retained their magic. In previous generations all of Nibenay's Templars have been female and have been married to him. However since the Kings departure from public life including his own Templars several males have been admitted to the Templarate.
So far his Templars have managed to retain control of the city partly through fear and partly through reform. In Nibenay it is now legal to free a slave or in rare cases a slave can purchase their own freedom and depending on a slaves talents they may even rise to a position of prominence in the cities administration. Even practicing preserving magic is no longer an automatic death sentence. Such wizards are usually either exiled from the city or are punished more severely for crimes they do actually commit.
Government: The city is run by Nibenay's Templars assisted by numerous slaves some of which have risen to high rank in the city. Only a handful of the most trusted Templars actually get to see Nibenay now (LE male human/7th stage Dragon). The reason for the kings seclusion is because of the Dragon rage as Nibenay is in the advanced stage of Dragon transformation. He has somehow suppressed the rage but doing so requires all of his concentration.
Trade and Commerce: Nibenay are well placed to trade with the cities of the Tyr region. There is a market for Nibenay produce in most cities in the Tyr region. Relations are strained with Raam and trade with that city has all but ceased. Nibenay has also lost control of Cromlin after agents loyal to Razia of Waverly instigated a rebellion. With financial and military support the rebels managed to seize control over Cromlin which has since grown into a small city. With Nibenay being unavailable Nibenay's defenses are being tested by opportunistic cities. Strangely enough Gulg has actually helped Nibenay rather than exploit them. Lalali-Puy has actually sent two elite companies of skirmishers to support the Templars of Nibenay and are currently engaging rebel forces from Cromlin.
Raam
Centuries ago the Sorcerer Queen of Raam perished. In the aftermath of Dregoth's failed attempt to ascend to godhood he settled for lesser prize and seized control of Raam. In the intervening years he has rebuilt it to resemble his old city of Giustenal during the height of its power. Raam has always had one of the biggest populations in the Tyr region and holds that distinction today. Raam is unable to feed its population of around 80000 beings and imports food from Draj and has increasingly become to depend on food imported from Waverly via the silt port of Break Shore.
Raam under Dregoth has dominated Draj and has sent troops against Urik and Nibenay in recent years. After a bloody defeat at the hands of Hamanu Dregoth has limited his attacks to areas Nibenay controls. Since the Sorcerer King of that city is even more reclusive than usual so far his patrols have tended to win any hostile encounters between the two cities. Some speculate it is only a matter of time before Dregoth marches in force against Nibenay. Dregoth's forces include a large number of undead and the Dread King is known to reanimate his fallen foes.
Government: Dregoth (human male/stage 9 Dragon/Dragon Ascendant 12) has ruled Raam for almost a thousand years. In the aftermath of his ascension attempt he abandoned the Dray and seized Raam for himself. He has managed to somehow reverse his former undead status and has set himself a more modest goal of completing the Dragon transformation. Dregoth believes he can invade Nibenay and sacrifice the population to complete his transformation. He is one of the most powerful Kings in the Tyr region and only Hamanu and Razia can really match him one on one. However he is detested by virtually every other ruler except for Atzetuk and Razia.
Trade and Commerce: Raam has extensive trade with Draj and Waverly and limited trade with Tyr and Urik. Dregoth and Hamanu can't stand each other and goods smuggled in Urik (and vice versa) are usually worth double what they would normally be. While Dregoth doesn't like Sadira of Tyr since she wasn't one of the monarchs that attacked him thousands of years ago he ignores her for the most part.
Tyr
The so called Free City of Tyr is free in name only. Centuries ago they overthrew their tyrannical King Kalak and for a few centuries a council of freemen ruled the city. Around 700 years ago Sadira of Tyr ( CN half elf female Wizard 10/Sun Wizard 20) assumed the throne of Tyr as its new Sorcerer Queen. Despite ruling the city in an erratic and impulsive manner Sadira is a popular ruler. Centuries ago Sadira learned how to tame the Cerulean Storm and has siphoned off most of its destructive power and has increased rainfall in the Ringing Mountains.
For the first time in centuries running water flows under the elven bridge. The new river was named the River Agis for an ancient hero of Tyr. Tyr is a superpower among the city states and can easily defeat any two of them combined should they attack Tyr. Tyr was a founding member of the Free State Alliance between itself, Altaruk and Kled. The alliance can field the largest army in the Tyr region and is one of the best equipped with elite units having iron tipped spears and officers with iron swords. Tyrian legions arch side by side with heavy Dwarven infantry from Kled and battle mages from Altaruk support them magically.
Government: The Sorcerer Queen Sadira rules Tyr. By normal Sorcerer King standards she is a weak ruler although she is popular with Tyrians. She is one of the most powerful wizards on Athas and draws her power from the sun. A side effect of her transformation in the Pristine Tower enabled her to grant spells to Templars although it was several centuries before this ability became apparent. Her role is largely ceremonial although once per year she ascends Kalaks repaired pyramid and casts powerful spells to moderate the power of the Cerulean Storm.
Trade and Commerce: Tyr trades with every city in the Tyr region. It has a virtual monopoly on iron and due to Sadira's weather magic is also among the most fertile cities on Athas. The river Agis has reinvigorated the Tyr valley and lush fields extend down the rivers banks before it empties into fertile swampland in the Sea of Silt near Altaruk. Over the last thousand odd years due to the improved rainfall and food exports from Tyr the population of the Tyr region has roughly doubled. Tyrs population stands at roughly 60000 beings with the surrounding fertile valley supporting perhaps ten times that number.
Urik
Change comes slowly to Urik and has been ruled by Hamanu (LE human male/stage 10 dragon/fighter10) for centuries. Perhaps the most powerful King on Athas he has never been defeated when he has lead Uriks forces into battle. Only Hamanu can really match Dregoth in power and the two of them have skirmished several times in recent years.. Urik has benefited from the increased rainfall via Sadira and its population has grown to 55000. While not the largest army in the Tyr region Urik is generally regarded as one of the most powerful city states.
Government: Hamanu rules Urik as a tyrant.. He has extended his favor to his High Templar Pavek who is several centuries old and is apparently ageless. The law in Urik is harsh and often unfair. Rik is more or less a typical city run by a Sorcerer King. A rumor that Hamanu hasn't seen fit to respond to speculates that him and Sadira of Tyr are lovers. While most believe it to be baseless they have been meeting each other lately. In reality they are discussing the security of Rajaats prison and Sadira barely tolerates Hamanus presence.
The Wanderers Journal
Welcome to Athas stranger-, a bleak and desolate world. I am the wanderer a mere traveler who has traveled the length of the Tyr region. The blistering Dark Sun bakes the world in its unrelenting heat. Hot desert winds sucks the moisture from a being while the Civilization is dying the few remaining cities are ruled by the Sorceror Kings- beings of great power who are capable of granting spells to their Templars- corrupt priests who control the bureaucracy of their city. Water is scarce on this parched and dying world but is common compared to metal. Only in the city of Tyr do they have the last known iron mine in the world and . Ancient tales speak of water covering the land and knights wearing suits metal into battle but the ancients have left us precious little of either. Most iron comes from Tyr or is scavenged from ancient ruins.
Feral Halfling cannibals lurk in the jungles of the forest ridge while sly nomadic elven tribesmen populate the desert wastes always running from someone or something. Thri Kreen mantis warriors lurk in the wastes between the rare oasis always hungry and ready to eat anyone who falls into their mandibles. A few Dwarves also inhabit the cities of man and they have few settlements of their own and are renowned for their stamina and ability to focus on a task to the point of obsession. In the few remaining cities of man half breeds such as Half Elves eke out a pathetic existence while brutes such as Half Giant and sterile Muls a human/dwarf hybrid use their strength in heavy labor or die in the arena for the crowds entertainment.
There are no gods for this forlorn world. Perhaps they have forsaken it or never existed. The clerics draw their power from pacts made with the elemental forces of Air, Earth, Fire, and Water while the rare Druid gains strength from his mysterious ties to the land. Arcane magic is rare and is illegal in all of the cities and a mob will rip any wizard limb from limb for the defilers power their spells via life energy drawn form the land itself. Few beings are willing to tolerate such a despicable act which rapes the land of its fertility leaving behind a circle of barren lifeless ash. The current desolation of the world is believed to lie with ancient wars between the wizards who devastated the land. Powerful Psions who use the way exist who can bend reality just with the power of their mind. It is rumored the Sorcerer Kings themselves are powerful Psion/Wizards who use the foul power of sorcery to rule their corrupt and bloated cities
There are seven cities in the Tyr region each ruled by a powerful Sorcerer King (or Queen) and their Templar agents. They are Balic,Draj, Gulg,Raam, Tyr,Nibenay, and Urik,I have seen the ruins of other grand cities and these few cities would appear to be all thats left of a bygone age for no new city has been founded in centuries. Some of the Sorcerer Kings claim to be gods and their Templars make sacrifices to them. Who knows the truth but when a Templar comes knocking wielding the powers of his King who am I to argue? Pay the Templar his bribe and move along. Be stricken with poverty and you will quickly become a slave in some nobles estate or even worse be owned by a Templar.
As bad as the Sorceror Kings and their Templar followers are they pale into insignificance against the might of the Dragon. A horrid beast ancient beyond counting prowls the wastelands wiping out entire villages and caravans with his breath of heated sand. It is rumored his sorcery is so powerful it can draw the life force from a sentient being and leave behind a dessicated husk. I have seen with my own eyes the remains of caravans destroyed beyond all recognition with the dessicated remains of the Dragons victims left behind as silent witnesses to the beasts power. The only thing the citizens of a city can be truly grateful for are the kings wards which will hopefully keep out the Dragons wrath should he come calling.
If anyone would like to run with this, it's yours.
I think the Pavek thing is extremely cheesy. Other than that I like what you've done
Yeah I think I'll ditch that part. You keen to help
i like what ya got so far, would like to know more about how the balic king could be back, but its all good so far.
also in your storyline what info could be included on rajaat?
I had some ideas about various power groups trying to restore Athas and the Sorcerer Kings letting them as long as they don't try and oppose them.
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IMo i would have SK's trick druids into working for them through agents (the druids never know they work for a SK.) then have the druids with the support of their mysterious benefactor, restore large sections of athas underground and above ground. then those druids go missing and new ones are recruited.
this would give the SK's a new source for their magic, also for their defilers magic.
But in general, they can work in the harshest environments without need for sleep or food. Throw in a thinking zombie every now and again when you desperately need skilled labor in a harsh environment and you can create things most people would never dream possible on athas with the intervention of the Sorceror-Kings themselves.
Na! Keep Pavek and just include a blood renewal ritual, where Hamanu uses his dragonpowers combined with a sacrifice of 100 slaves to keep pavek alive and in good health. Or where Hamanu actually uses his own blood to renew Pavek.
i like what ya got so far, would like to know more about how the balic king could be back, but its all good so far.
also in your storyline what info could be included on rajaat?
Virtually no info on Rajaatt would be included as its not something PCs really need to know about. I was thinking about a Cult of Rajaat and having his other hand turn up. Also by syphoning off the Cerulean Storm it may weaken Rajaats prison and let him out.
Balics king got out in around FY 300 according to Paizo but even if you ignore that he is due out in FY 1010. Thats one reason I choose FY 1015 for a new campaign date- Hamanu will be back as well depending on how you want to deal with Rise and Fall of a Dragon King (ignore it, retcon it, include it).