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Athasan Underdark

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
May 15, 2007 18:05:11 I remember reading that there is an Athasan Underdark in the Terros of Athas pdf. I have most of the 2nd ed. stuff on this now where would this information on the Athasan Underdark be located in second ed.? Also what kinda of creatures live there?? Obvisously there are no drow or duegar. Are thier illithids? Grell? Aboleths?
#2
vonzrucker
May 16, 2007 0:35:13 Who's to say there's no drow or duergar? I mean, sure, I've never read about them, but with as volatile as the sun is on Athas, it's understandable why no one would hear reports of a drow or duergar, or other excessively light-sensitive races.

However, realistically if there were elves and dwarves and gnomes who lived far, far below the sand in a cavernous areas,they'd likely be albino-skinned, or extremely pale, anyhow.

The Forgotten Realms dwarf race from the "Races of Faerun" book would somewhat make sense. What were they called? The Urdlin?

Also, the Rockseer Elves from the 2nd Ed. boxed set "The Night Below" would also be kind of cool to see integrated into the underworld of Athas.

What do you guys think?

-Von
#3
Zardnaar
May 16, 2007 2:48:23 Most traditional underdark creature don't exist and if they do they would never be seen on the surface due to the sun and sand would tend to cover most cave openings.

I've thought about Drow and Duergar in Darksun and you would need to tweak them a bit. In either event I would make the descent so to speak tie in with the Cleansing Wars where the races fled underground to excape entrapment.

Duergar would be Psionic which is a no brainer. You would have to change the Drow culture a little bit since theres no Lolth. I would probably make them pale skinned, change the favoured class to Psion for both sexes and they may not even be evil aligned. Very few wizards and virtually no defilers.Personally I would make them chaotic evil twisted by hatred towards humans who they fear and hate. They virtually never raid the surface good luck if you are a human who stumbles into their hands.

IMC Lava Gorge was created by the Elves to destroy Aleborns forces after he destroyed Kurn. Corranu lead the survivors away after the high magi emplyed an epic spell to modify the race from a traditional D&D race to the modern elf of today
#4
pringles
May 16, 2007 9:22:50 No, Lava gorge was created by Rajaat when he split Athas crust in two to summon Magma elemental. It was to fight the Champion army, sieging his flying castle, Magehome, that had crashed there.
#5
dirk00001
May 16, 2007 10:14:55 Most references to an "Athasian Underdark" that I've seen more specifically pertain to ruins and "ancient caverns" and such that have been lost to time, buried underneath the sands, more recent cities, etc. I don't think it's a true case of an Underdark in the Faerun sense - not a network of caves that spans the entire planet. Instead, you've got a network of the Green Age civilization(s), which used "psionic subways" to get around, likely had mines and dungeons, etc.
#6
cnahumck
May 16, 2007 11:20:40
No, Lava gorge was created by Rajaat when he split Athas crust in two to summon Magma elemental. It was to fight the Champion army, sieging his flying castle, Magehome, that had crashed there.

Where is this info from?
#7
dunsel
May 16, 2007 13:39:36 I agree that underdark in Dark Sun should be more of isolated areas rather than a tunnel network underneath the surface which covers the entire planet. In my campaign, the underdark has been conquered by the phaerimm. The PCs are fighting things above ground right now but soon ... :evillaugh
#8
huntercc
May 16, 2007 16:26:23 Maybe you saw UnderTyr and confused it with Underdark? I don't remember that word being used in anything to do with Dark Sun before, but I could be wrong.
#9
ruhl-than_sage
May 16, 2007 17:10:17 Personally I feel like Drow and Duergar are too unimaginative for Dark Sun, the underdark races should be more alien, not just dark reflections of surface races. I believe there are some races already in the DSMCI&II that fit the Bill if you'll take a look through it.
#10
methvezem
May 16, 2007 17:52:37 The diopsid from D267, which is converted to 3.5 in the Dragon Compendium, would make a good Athasian Underdark candidate.
#11
Zardnaar
May 16, 2007 17:54:15 Well theres alot f roomdown there and if someone came up with a creative take on Athasian Drow/Duergar they might exist down there.

The Athasian Underdark IMHO should be even more hostile than traditional underdarks. Water would be more scarce so survival should be alot harder. I might do a write up of Athasian Drwo. Not saying they exist but if I were to include them in my version of Athas it would be how I would do it.
#12
cnahumck
May 16, 2007 18:43:10 There is something that might fit the nature of Duergar that you are wanting in FFN.

However, I am very against the idea of Drow on Athas. To me, it doesn't fit. Maybe one or two as a tower freak, but we have no need of them. Before anyone get's upset, remember that the Elf Tribes are all different. If you want one that uses similar tactics, go for it. Skin color don't matter, as the Champion of Urik in the Abbey books was black skinned. I guess my question is: why do you want drow on Athas. If the answer is "cause their cool." Then my reply is, "that is true, they are great, they just ain't very Athasian. We have other things that are cool and fit the feel of DS. Let's use that."
#13
Sysane
May 16, 2007 18:55:56
Personally I feel like Drow and Duergar are too unimaginative for Dark Sun, the underdark races should be more alien, not just dark reflections of surface races. I believe there are some races already in the DSMCI&II that fit the Bill if you'll take a look through it.

I have to agree with Sage here. No need for a stale recrated version of races from other game worlds.

Some creatures suitable for Athasian Underdark races off the top of my head:

Dray
Hej-kin
Dark Spider
Yaun-Ti

Additionally, I would also imagine one of the races marked to be cleansed by Rajaat could have retreated into the earth in order to escape extinction. After centuries of being under ground they may have evolved into something else entirely. Gnomes come to mind.
#14
zombiegleemax
May 16, 2007 21:04:43
Maybe you saw UnderTyr and confused it with Underdark? I don't remember that word being used in anything to do with Dark Sun before, but I could be wrong.

Sorry to sound like an smartass, but there is an "inofficia" (I guess) Underdark.

Appeared in the Spellfire Traiding Card Game

Underdark Booster Packs

Card 1/100 Under Athas (Realm)
Card 10/100 The Burning Cavern (Holding)
Card 100/100 Xontra (Champion) (6 Psionic Champion), looks like an Kaisharga

Anyway, sorry for rambling, *disappearsintolukringmode*

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax May 15, 2007 18:05:11	I remember reading that there is an Athasan Underdark in the Terros of Athas pdf. I have most of the 2nd ed. stuff on this now where would this information on the Athasan Underdark be located in second ed.? Also what kinda of creatures live there?? Obvisously there are no drow or duegar. Are thier illithids? Grell? Aboleths?
#2 vonzrucker May 16, 2007 0:35:13	Who's to say there's no drow or duergar? I mean, sure, I've never read about them, but with as volatile as the sun is on Athas, it's understandable why no one would hear reports of a drow or duergar, or other excessively light-sensitive races. However, realistically if there were elves and dwarves and gnomes who lived far, far below the sand in a cavernous areas,they'd likely be albino-skinned, or extremely pale, anyhow. The Forgotten Realms dwarf race from the "Races of Faerun" book would somewhat make sense. What were they called? The Urdlin? Also, the Rockseer Elves from the 2nd Ed. boxed set "The Night Below" would also be kind of cool to see integrated into the underworld of Athas. What do you guys think? -Von
#3 Zardnaar May 16, 2007 2:48:23	Most traditional underdark creature don't exist and if they do they would never be seen on the surface due to the sun and sand would tend to cover most cave openings. I've thought about Drow and Duergar in Darksun and you would need to tweak them a bit. In either event I would make the descent so to speak tie in with the Cleansing Wars where the races fled underground to excape entrapment. Duergar would be Psionic which is a no brainer. You would have to change the Drow culture a little bit since theres no Lolth. I would probably make them pale skinned, change the favoured class to Psion for both sexes and they may not even be evil aligned. Very few wizards and virtually no defilers.Personally I would make them chaotic evil twisted by hatred towards humans who they fear and hate. They virtually never raid the surface good luck if you are a human who stumbles into their hands. IMC Lava Gorge was created by the Elves to destroy Aleborns forces after he destroyed Kurn. Corranu lead the survivors away after the high magi emplyed an epic spell to modify the race from a traditional D&D race to the modern elf of today
#4 pringles May 16, 2007 9:22:50	No, Lava gorge was created by Rajaat when he split Athas crust in two to summon Magma elemental. It was to fight the Champion army, sieging his flying castle, Magehome, that had crashed there.
#5 dirk00001 May 16, 2007 10:14:55	Most references to an "Athasian Underdark" that I've seen more specifically pertain to ruins and "ancient caverns" and such that have been lost to time, buried underneath the sands, more recent cities, etc. I don't think it's a true case of an Underdark in the Faerun sense - not a network of caves that spans the entire planet. Instead, you've got a network of the Green Age civilization(s), which used "psionic subways" to get around, likely had mines and dungeons, etc.
#6 cnahumck May 16, 2007 11:20:40	No, Lava gorge was created by Rajaat when he split Athas crust in two to summon Magma elemental. It was to fight the Champion army, sieging his flying castle, Magehome, that had crashed there. Where is this info from?
#7 dunsel May 16, 2007 13:39:36	I agree that underdark in Dark Sun should be more of isolated areas rather than a tunnel network underneath the surface which covers the entire planet. In my campaign, the underdark has been conquered by the phaerimm. The PCs are fighting things above ground right now but soon ... :evillaugh
#8 huntercc May 16, 2007 16:26:23	Maybe you saw UnderTyr and confused it with Underdark? I don't remember that word being used in anything to do with Dark Sun before, but I could be wrong.
#9 ruhl-than_sage May 16, 2007 17:10:17	Personally I feel like Drow and Duergar are too unimaginative for Dark Sun, the underdark races should be more alien, not just dark reflections of surface races. I believe there are some races already in the DSMCI&II that fit the Bill if you'll take a look through it.
#10 methvezem May 16, 2007 17:52:37	The diopsid from D267, which is converted to 3.5 in the Dragon Compendium, would make a good Athasian Underdark candidate.
#11 Zardnaar May 16, 2007 17:54:15	Well theres alot f roomdown there and if someone came up with a creative take on Athasian Drow/Duergar they might exist down there. The Athasian Underdark IMHO should be even more hostile than traditional underdarks. Water would be more scarce so survival should be alot harder. I might do a write up of Athasian Drwo. Not saying they exist but if I were to include them in my version of Athas it would be how I would do it.
#12 cnahumck May 16, 2007 18:43:10	There is something that might fit the nature of Duergar that you are wanting in FFN. However, I am very against the idea of Drow on Athas. To me, it doesn't fit. Maybe one or two as a tower freak, but we have no need of them. Before anyone get's upset, remember that the Elf Tribes are all different. If you want one that uses similar tactics, go for it. Skin color don't matter, as the Champion of Urik in the Abbey books was black skinned. I guess my question is: why do you want drow on Athas. If the answer is "cause their cool." Then my reply is, "that is true, they are great, they just ain't very Athasian. We have other things that are cool and fit the feel of DS. Let's use that."
#13 Sysane May 16, 2007 18:55:56	Personally I feel like Drow and Duergar are too unimaginative for Dark Sun, the underdark races should be more alien, not just dark reflections of surface races. I believe there are some races already in the DSMCI&II that fit the Bill if you'll take a look through it. I have to agree with Sage here. No need for a stale recrated version of races from other game worlds. Some creatures suitable for Athasian Underdark races off the top of my head: Dray Hej-kin Dark Spider Yaun-Ti Additionally, I would also imagine one of the races marked to be cleansed by Rajaat could have retreated into the earth in order to escape extinction. After centuries of being under ground they may have evolved into something else entirely. Gnomes come to mind.
#14 zombiegleemax May 16, 2007 21:04:43	Maybe you saw UnderTyr and confused it with Underdark? I don't remember that word being used in anything to do with Dark Sun before, but I could be wrong. Sorry to sound like an smartass, but there is an "inofficia" (I guess) Underdark. Appeared in the Spellfire Traiding Card Game Underdark Booster Packs Card 1/100 Under Athas (Realm) Card 10/100 The Burning Cavern (Holding) Card 100/100 Xontra (Champion) (6 Psionic Champion), looks like an Kaisharga Anyway, sorry for rambling, disappearsintolukringmode