Sanity rules and Dark Sun - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Sanity rules and Dark Sun

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
arjomanes
Dec 10, 2007 19:00:41 Maybe this has already been asked, but has anyone explored the idea of using sanity rules in a Dark Sun campaign?

I think the defiling magic in particular could be interesting to pair with sanity. In addition, arena fighting, horrible sandstorms, and other events could be triggers for some minor sanity checks. Both Call of Cthulhu d20 and Unearthed Arcana have sanity rules that could work with Dark Sun.

I think this could be an additional mechanic to help Dark Sun seem really different from Forgotten Realms, Eberron, etc.

Has anyone tried this? Any opinions?
#2
thebrax
Dec 11, 2007 9:58:26 I haven't looked over any of the rules you speak of, but for a while, when working on City State of Eldaarich, I was considering developing compulsive disorders on addiction rules. It's a very disturbed city, but my current thought is to just describe the character traits and let the DM role play those NPCs the old fashioned way rather than creating a system to describe their behavior.
#3
Sysane
Dec 11, 2007 10:02:30 Heroes of Horror has some decent mechanics for mental disorders/phobias. I suggest checking them out when you get a chance.
#4
Band2
Dec 11, 2007 12:11:09
Maybe this has already been asked, but has anyone explored the idea of using sanity rules in a Dark Sun campaign?

I think the defiling magic in particular could be interesting to pair with sanity. In addition, arena fighting, horrible sandstorms, and other events could be triggers for some minor sanity checks. Both Call of Cthulhu d20 and Unearthed Arcana have sanity rules that could work with Dark Sun.

I think this could be an additional mechanic to help Dark Sun seem really different from Forgotten Realms, Eberron, etc.

Has anyone tried this? Any opinions?

I don't know. I do not feel that it is needed. To the citizens of Athas most of that stuff is routine part of their world. Arena fighting is their entertainment, sandstorms are part of the weather.
Now if you were running a campaign with characters transplanted to Athas from another world, say Forgotten Realms, I would say that would be a good idea to implement to help reinforce the harsh nature of Athas to the outsiders.
#5
arjomanes
Dec 11, 2007 22:40:30 Those are good points. Band2, I see your point about people who grew up on Athas would be used to this kind of environment. I don't plan on having a transplant campaign, so I think I'll stay away from using sanity rolls at the moment. I'll look at the mechanics in Heroes of Horror and see if they add anything. Thanks.

Just want to add that I really admire the work and thought people have been putting into making Dark Sun playable in 3rd edition. I'm excited to be dusting off my old Dark Sun boxed set and getting a campaign started. Excellent work!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 arjomanes Dec 10, 2007 19:00:41	Maybe this has already been asked, but has anyone explored the idea of using sanity rules in a Dark Sun campaign? I think the defiling magic in particular could be interesting to pair with sanity. In addition, arena fighting, horrible sandstorms, and other events could be triggers for some minor sanity checks. Both Call of Cthulhu d20 and Unearthed Arcana have sanity rules that could work with Dark Sun. I think this could be an additional mechanic to help Dark Sun seem really different from Forgotten Realms, Eberron, etc. Has anyone tried this? Any opinions?
#2 thebrax Dec 11, 2007 9:58:26	I haven't looked over any of the rules you speak of, but for a while, when working on City State of Eldaarich, I was considering developing compulsive disorders on addiction rules. It's a very disturbed city, but my current thought is to just describe the character traits and let the DM role play those NPCs the old fashioned way rather than creating a system to describe their behavior.
#3 Sysane Dec 11, 2007 10:02:30	Heroes of Horror has some decent mechanics for mental disorders/phobias. I suggest checking them out when you get a chance.
#4 Band2 Dec 11, 2007 12:11:09	Maybe this has already been asked, but has anyone explored the idea of using sanity rules in a Dark Sun campaign? I think the defiling magic in particular could be interesting to pair with sanity. In addition, arena fighting, horrible sandstorms, and other events could be triggers for some minor sanity checks. Both Call of Cthulhu d20 and Unearthed Arcana have sanity rules that could work with Dark Sun. I think this could be an additional mechanic to help Dark Sun seem really different from Forgotten Realms, Eberron, etc. Has anyone tried this? Any opinions? I don't know. I do not feel that it is needed. To the citizens of Athas most of that stuff is routine part of their world. Arena fighting is their entertainment, sandstorms are part of the weather. Now if you were running a campaign with characters transplanted to Athas from another world, say Forgotten Realms, I would say that would be a good idea to implement to help reinforce the harsh nature of Athas to the outsiders.
#5 arjomanes Dec 11, 2007 22:40:30	Those are good points. Band2, I see your point about people who grew up on Athas would be used to this kind of environment. I don't plan on having a transplant campaign, so I think I'll stay away from using sanity rolls at the moment. I'll look at the mechanics in Heroes of Horror and see if they add anything. Thanks. Just want to add that I really admire the work and thought people have been putting into making Dark Sun playable in 3rd edition. I'm excited to be dusting off my old Dark Sun boxed set and getting a campaign started. Excellent work!