Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 waynethegame_dup Nov 11, 2007 18:10:26	Hello folks, I have a bit of a dilemma. I've just joined a new group and the primary campaign is Dark Sun - it's been running apparently since 1991, and is heavily modified (Greyhawk gods are around, for one thing). I'm thinking of character concepts at the moment, and I'm deciding between a Psychic Warrior or a Druid. I've never used Psionics so I'm leaning slightly more towards the Druid. I can't find anything in the Athas.org document that says if Wildshape functions differently in dark sun, or if the animals are different. I've never really played Dark Sun before; I had the old 2nd edition boxed set but never got into it really. Anyways, it just feels "wrong" to have something like a Dire Bear or a Megaraptor or some such weird animal in a Dark Sun game. Is there some additional modifications I'm missing that change the animals available as companions, or is having a Druid with a Dire Bear companion, who can Wildshape into a Dire Bear himself alright by the rules? Thanks for any replies!
#2 chahir Nov 11, 2007 19:10:01	Hey wayne, Ill b the first to admit Im not foremost expert on this kind othing, but I think perhaps ur DM should just select level appropriate creatures from those allowed in DS. Chahir
#3 phoenix_m Nov 11, 2007 23:29:00	Hey Wayne, The answer to your question is on page 37 of the 3.5 Players Handbook: Relivant lines Her options for new forms include all creatures with the animal type (see the Monster Manual) Or in this case Terrors of Athas. The form chosen must be that of an animal the druid is familiar with. For example, a druid who has never been outside a temperate forest could not become a polar bear. Alright, polar bears right on out of there. In my group we added the vermin type to the list of choices as there are so few whorth while animals avaliable (IIRC 5 or 6 animal options between level 5 and 8)
#4 Jaysyn Nov 12, 2007 10:43:09	Hello folks, I have a bit of a dilemma. I've just joined a new group and the primary campaign is Dark Sun - it's been running apparently since 1991, and is heavily modified (Greyhawk gods are around, for one thing). I'm thinking of character concepts at the moment, and I'm deciding between a Psychic Warrior or a Druid. I've never used Psionics so I'm leaning slightly more towards the Druid. I can't find anything in the Athas.org document that says if Wildshape functions differently in dark sun, or if the animals are different. I've never really played Dark Sun before; I had the old 2nd edition boxed set but never got into it really. Anyways, it just feels "wrong" to have something like a Dire Bear or a Megaraptor or some such weird animal in a Dark Sun game. Is there some additional modifications I'm missing that change the animals available as companions, or is having a Druid with a Dire Bear companion, who can Wildshape into a Dire Bear himself alright by the rules? Thanks for any replies! Dire Bear = no, Athasian Bear = yes. Assuming you can shift into a 19HD form at least.
#5 ruhl-than_sage Nov 12, 2007 11:11:12	Dire Bear = no, Athasian Bear = yes. Assuming you can shift into a 19HD form at least. There is the False Bear or Takis also, which is considerably less powerful.
#6 Pennarin Nov 12, 2007 11:30:03	I strongly suggest homebrewing adding Vermin as well. It's against the rules (even Eberron created a feat just for that), but it would be necessary. Just not enough choices with animals alone.
#7 Band2 Nov 12, 2007 12:22:28	Anyways, it just feels "wrong" to have something like a Dire Bear or a Megaraptor or some such weird animal in a Dark Sun game. Terrors of Athas from Athas. org does have a table of Athasian Druid Animal Companions that should help you for companions.
#8 Jaysyn Nov 12, 2007 14:04:02	There is the False Bear or Takis also, which is considerably less powerful. Yeah, that would work even better.