The following is various notes I’ve used over the years and I decided to develop an Athasian Campaign setting based far in the future- over 1000 years since the end of the Prism Pentad series of books. I wanted to do some things with the timeline and game world and by setting it so far in the future anything can literally happen without having to shake things up to much in relation to the current timeline. I used some hints from the revised boxed set and the focus of an Athas FY1015 campaign is the restoration of the planet.
I’ve also gone back to the future and have based it on the original boxed set. There are now 8 Sorcerer Kings, a Dragon and the campaign is focused on the original Tyr region but the planet is slightly better off and there is a glimmer of hope. I’m no Darksun purist as 3.5 has in effect changed the game from its 2nd ed roots. Now you can be a Kreen Wizard or Templar if you really want. My idea for a future timeline of Athas is also likely to be my personal groundwork for Darksun 4th Ed.
Classic Darksun Vs FY 1015
What is different about the future Athas versus the classic Darksun? The world is slightly better off due to increased rainfall via Sadira’s epic weather control magic as she is siphoning off the Cerulean Storms power. There are no more Tyr Storms for example. For perhaps the first time in Athas history Preservers outnumber Defilers as even the Sorcerer Kings have purged their pet defilers although most of them are Defilers themselves. From their viewpoint at least they try to minimise the damage they inflict via trees of life and other means.
Being a Wizard is no longer an automatic death sentence unless you’re a Defiler who are much like Defilers in the classic setting. However even the Sorcerer Kings have no use for them now. The Veiled Alliance has disbanded over the years due to continued persecution of the Sorcerer Kings and more liberal views on magic has largely mitigated the reason for their existence in any event. Some Sorcerer Kings however are traditionalists on persecuting wizards however except for a select few pets which are usually evil preservers.
Also the tone of a future setting should focus on hope and restoring Athas as opposed to survival. While I like the brutal aspects of Athas I’ve toned it down a bit as most players don’t really enjoy having their characters slaughtered. If they do something stupid a Sorcerer King or whatever will happily kill them and Athas is still harsher than most D&D worlds. However being a heretic maybe sometimes give the PCs a break.
City States
City States of Athas
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 less than half of that number are free with the rest being slaves. Recently Balic was involved in a short war with Razia the so called Silt Queen 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.
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 women’s 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. Balics remaining silt colonies and client villages are vitally important as several were lost to Razia’s forces in the most recent war. Lumber in particular is getting a good price in Balic as several silt skimmers have been laid down recently to replace their loses.
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 and Dregoth is perhaps the most powerful king of them all.
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’s 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. 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. Travellers 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 and 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. Never the less Lalali-Puy’s domain has grown due to the expansion of the crescent forest. The forest goddess has promised to renew Athas and she is quite popular among the masses- by Sorcerer Queen standards anyway.
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.
Trade and Commerce: Gulg is short of most natural resources apart from 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. Lumber is also an export although the Gulgs practice renewable logging with several trees planted for every one cut down.
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 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 is 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 defences 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 worth. 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. Raam exports slaves as it is struggling to feed its massive population.
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. The population stands at roughly 60000 beings with the surrounding fertile valley supporting perhaps ten times that number. Numerous client villages dot the landscape toward Alturak farming the fertile banks of the Agis river.
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. The law in Urik is harsh and often unfair. Urik is more or less a typical city run by a Sorcerer King. The Templars hold most of the real power while various noble houses have powerful standing militias. A rumor that Hamanu hasn't seen fit to respond to speculates that he 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.
Trade and Commerce: Urik exports armor, weapons, obsidian and slaves and imports iron and various finished goods. The economy is geared towards the military which tends to own the majority of Uriks industry as such. Most of Uriks trade is dominated by house Mareneth which has achieved a virtual monopoly in several cities.
Waverly
The ancient city of Waverly has been resettled and rebuilt. Several centuries ago a large armada of silt schooners and barges crossed the Silt Sea. The fleet was lead by Razia and her Templars. The newcomers from across the sea settled on the island of Waverly and established a city on top of the old ruins. Recently Waverly emerged victorious in a war with Balic and has annexed most of the towns and villages bordering the Sea of Silt.
The people of Waverly are strange by the customs of the tablelands and their military forces seem to largely be composed of mercenaries of various races. The people tend to be conservative and very law abiding and have a clean and generally safe city. Laws are harsh and crime is rare. Criminals are usually sentenced to slavery or death. Infidelity is a capital offence in Razia and family is very important.
Government: The Sorcerer Queen Razia the Purifier rules Waverly but keeps a, hands off attitude to running the city. The day to day rulers are a council of nobles who rule estates on the island itself and various colonies around the Silt Sea. Razia holds some sort of veto power and she personally deals with any attempts to usurp her power.
The few original remaining Sorcerer Kings wonder where Razia Templars gain their spells from. It appears however that Razia is a Sorcerer Queen in her on right and a powerful one at that and she has fended off tentative assaults from various Sorcerer Kings. Andropinis has been personally defeated by Razia and Dregoth isn’t quite sure what to make of here but Raam is on excellent terms with Waverly.
Trade and Commerce: Waverly is a rich city in the Tyr region due to favourable weather conditions on the Isle of Waverly and its colonies around the Silt Sea. Waverly’s traders are quite aggressive and have a near monopoly on trade in the Silt Sea due to their large navy. Waverly is a manufacturing hub and is in reality a small empire with colonies scattered throughout the Silt Sea. Its armies have also conquered virtually all known ports bordering the Silt Sea and have even subdued the giants. Even Balic has more or less been reduced to a land based power due to the loss of its fleet.
Massive quantities of food are also exported from Waverly which is usually tribute paid by various villages that acknowledge Waverly’s local supremacy. Rainfall has also increased over the Silt Sea as the Cerulean Storm is still raging at its centre although its worst effects have been mitigated by Sadira’s weather control magic. Vast fertile mudflats are farmed by slaves living in client villages.
Scattered throughout the wastes are a number of towns and villages. Whenever enough water of sufficient quantity to grow crops is found a village often follows. Most survive a few generations before being wiped out by resource depletion, raiders or The Dragon.
Alturak
Located at the head of the Big Fork of the Forked Tongue Estuary Alturak is part of the Free State Alliance with Tyr and Kled. It is now a large town almost a city in its own right bisected by the River Agis- the only river in the Tyr region. While still heavily fortified against giant attack the River Agis drains into the nearby silt and has created a vast area of mudflats. Farms dot the surrounding areas and papyrus is produced and exported here along with large quantities of food grown by freemen farmers. Centuries ago Alturak was a haven for members of the Veiled Alliance but now has the only magic academy on Athas. On several occasions powerful battlemages have marched side by side with forces from Tyr and Kled. Giant attacks have largely ceased as they find it difficult to wade through the mud to get to Alturak and powerful mages guard the town.
Anaeas
Anaeas is a small town located on the south west coast of Waverly Island. It is a port town and is a naval base for Waverlys silt fleet. It is the main port of Waverly and several silt schooners usually dock here each day with resources for the city. Recently a great battle was fought off the coast here and most of Balics navy was destroyed. Survivors of the battle were paraded through the streets before being sold on the slave blocks.
Break Shore
Break Shore is a busy silt port near Raam. Silt traders base out of Break Shore to trade with various groups on the Silt Island and villages located further north along the coast. Large quantities of food are shipped through Break Shore with their final destination inn Raam to feed that cities burgeoning population. The town is loyal to Waverly as Dregoth ceded the town to Razia in return for supplies for Raam.
Cromlin
Cromlin is a small town on the shores of the Silt Sea. In recent years it has fallen to forces loyal to Razia of Waverly. It is now an important shipbuilding port and Waverly maintains a small silt squadron and a mercenary garrison here. Supplies are usually dropped off here and then ferried across to Break Shore for shipment to Draj, Raam and Urik. It is likely that the merchant houses of Nibenay would like to recapture Cromlin but currently lack the resources to do so and no help would be available form Nibenay himself or his Templarate.
Kled
Kled is the third member of the Free State alliance along with Alturak and Tyr. It is a Dwarven town located above the nearly restored Dwarven city of Kemalok. The Dwarves have rediscovered long abandoned iron mines and along with Tyr produce the only known iron ore in the Tyr region. The Free State Alliance has some of the best equipped troops on Athas and on ceremonial occasion the Dwarves don ancient suits of metal armor and wield metal weapons. Over a dozen such equipped Dwarves form the Dwarven Guard in Tyr and their duty is to protect Queen Sadira at all costs and have made her safety their focus in life.
Makla
Makla is a client village of Urik, located on the shore of the Lake of Golden Dreams. It is a large fortified town which is a hub if industry. Heavily fortified by over 1000 soldiers from Urik it is a mining town for obsidian. Skilled craftsmen fashion the obsidian into fine weapons and various goods for export. Conditions in the mines are brutal and death is common although Hamanu has sent a small numbers of Templars skilled in healing magic to prolong the usefulness of the slaves here.
Ledopolus
Technically now a Ledopolus is actually 3 large Dwarven town towns. North and South Ledopolus form traditional Ledopolus. Ledo itself situated on Ledo Island is the 3rd town. Two large stone bridges link Ledopolus to Ledo Island which was formerly inhabited by giants centuries ago. The Dwarves are often busy resisting annual giant assaults on Ledo. The giants are trying to drive the Dwarves back into the silt and destroy the bridges. So far the Dwarves have managed to repulse all such assaults often due to non Dwarven mercenaries and adventuring bands hired to lend a hand driving the giants off. The Dwarves will usually let a caravan use their bridge but charge a gold piece for the privilege. All things considered it is usually a bargain as it saves many days travel around the Estuary of the Forked Tongue.
Salt View
A former slave town the inhabitants of Salt View are almost all gone. Perhaps a hundred souls inhabit this forlorn town as most of the towns population was slaughtered by The Dragon for some unknown reason. The remaining inhabitants have no where to go and it is likely they will be wiped out by raiders if aid isn’t supplied.
Ogo
Ogo is a Halfling Village that is almost the defacto capital for their race. Due to the expansion of the forest ridge Ogo has experienced rapid growth and soon may be the 1st halfling city established since the rebirth. Several step-pyramids rise from the jungle floor while halfling hunters patrol the surrounding jungle for sacrifice atop the pyramids. Ogo conducts limited trade with Urik but halfling hunters are starting to leave the jungles to drag captives back to Ogo. The town is ruled by Chief Urga- Xoo’Plith a powerful rain cleric and Psionist. Visitors to town had better have something to offer and quick before they are dragged atop a pyramid and have their hearts cut from their chest while the body is rolled down to the masses below for consumption.
Walis
Most maps of modern Athas don’t even have Walis on them. A former gold mine once existed here but the ore played out centuries ago. The town is all but abandoned as the harsh desert winds whip through the town. Few explorers return from Walis and it is rumoured that undead stalk the halls of the played out mine. Unknown to Athas at large a powerful Kaisharga has taken up residence here.
Bitter Well
Legend has it bitter well was discovered by Dwarves cutting through a thin mantle of rock revealing the sweet water below. The water level has risen in recent centuries and Bitter Well is now a verdant oasis with a small pool of surface water surrounded by palm trees. It is rumoured that the oasis has a resident druid. Small groups of travellers are welcome to refill their water skins but large caravans are advised to take the bare minimum as more than one greedy master traders caravan has gone missing in the area.
Black Waters
Black waters is located near Yaramuke. King Hamanu of Urik destroyed the city millennia ago and left it a poisoned wasteland. Numerous undead are common in the area. The water is a greasy black colour and something seems to be organising the spirits of the fallen in this forlorn place. Several wraiths have also been reported in the area.
Lake Pit
This lake is located at the northern end of the Dragons Bowl, is the largest body of water in the Tyr region. The water here is in pristine condition and the lake now covers over 35 square miles. While only 30 miles from Urik it is in a remote area due to the difficulty of reaching it Its shores teem with flora and fauna and there are numerous shrines built by water clerics. Several powerful water drakes also inhabit the lake while the area is also protected by a druidic circle. A power water elemental wielding powerful clerical magic and psionics also resides in the lake. A sunken city of a bygone age is also rumoured to be in submerged caverns below the lake. Explorers with powerful magic have attempted to reach the caverns but most either fail to come back or are convinced by the local denizens to find a more productive use of their talents.
Lake of Golden Dreams
The water of this lake is barely drinkable and has a strong sulphur taste. Clouds of thick yellow steam also cover the lake. A tribe of Halfings has also taken up residence around the lake as they believe it to be some sort of sacred site. These Halflings seem to be slightly more civilised than their better known kin and like their food cooked. Captives taken for the dinner table are thrown into the lake alive and boiled until well done. If approached carefully it is possible to trade with them and such merchants are often invited for a feast. The Halflings regard it as rude to turn the feast down and may take offence and throw the intruders into the lake.
Silver Spring
Once the domain of an elf tribe this spring, marks the edge of the territory claimed by the Free State Alliance. A small fort with a garrison of 50 soldiers guards the spring and charge a piece of silver for access to the spring. Their commander has made efforts to improve the spring however and its water is quite drinkable. A powerful water cleric tends to the spiritual needs of the garrison and travellers.
Grak’s Pool
Once the domain of a legendary half elf name Grak the pool is protected by a large mud brick fortress and over 80 mercenaries. Grak is now some sort of title. Grak Liliana Hantaz a powerful Mul preserver commands the garrison here and she has driven off numerous raiders with her battle magic. Even visiting Templars are respectful towards her authority. Several elven tribes also visit here and sell various magic trinkets. Scrolls and potion fruits are often available for sale and rarely a metal weapon.
Lost Oasis
Several centuries ago someone sculpted a beautiful fountain here. A geyser of water shoots forth from a white marble fountain depicting a being of ethereal beauty. The surrounding area has been washed clean of salt by the geyser. Verdant trees surround the oasis and a large pool of water has formed and is almost 2 yards deep in the middle and is 50 yards long by 20 yards wide. Peaceful tranquillity seems to linger in the area and it is rumoured the site is sacred to the legendary Pyreen.
The Mud Palace
Located in a remote area of the Tyr region the mud palace is in an inland silt basin. At the centre of the basin there is a huge mudflat with a small island in the middle covered in jungle. A magnificent castle rises out of the mud and looks to be inhabited. Traveller’s tales seem to mention eldritch lights and knights riding air drakes in the area. It is recommended you avoid the area assuming you have some way of reaching the island anyway.
Located in the sea of silt are a wide variety of islands. They are virtually impossible to get to without powerful magic or psionics unless you have access to some sort of silt vessel or have a friendly giant or two you an convince to carry you out to them.
Ledo
A clan of giants used to live here but they were wiped out by the Dwarves of Ledopolus. The island is now home to the town of Ledo and various villages of Dwarves. Several forts have also been constructed on the island to fight off incessant giant attacks.
The Dragons Palate
This long narrow island is formed by a ridge of mountains. The peaks receive rainfall which has increased in recent centuries via Sadira’s weather magic. Streams cascade down the side of the mountains and the island is surrounded by fertile mudflats. A small kingdom of giants has established themselves on the island and they are happy to trade with outsiders if approached right. The giants are addicted to kank honey which they ferment into an alcoholic brew but such treats are rare. The giants grow various crops on the mudflats and a Aaracokra have also made their home on the island. The mountains are also covered in trees and brush and are home to numerous colourful birds the giants seem to regard as almost sacred. The giant king is also a powerful air cleric.
Sirens Song
For centuries this island was home to a strange haunting song that echoed through the surrounding area. Tales were told of mesmerised travellers mindlessly walking into the silt to reach the island. The song is now silent and some brave souls have managed to reach the island. Their reports seem to indicate strange ruins on the top of the hills of this island that appear almost organic in nature. However few have made it back as somehow several tribes of vicious Halflings have taken up residence on the island. The Halfings seem to be psionists and are led by a preserver/psion of great power.
Waverly
The isle of Waverly is home to the city of the same name. A fertile island the people of Waverly have built several villages here and the isle receives regular rainfall from the remnants of the Cerulean Storm. Most of the island is dedicated to agriculture to support the city of Waverly and fine grapes are grown here. A rare berry is also grown here which is used to make purple clothe which is sold at a premium to agents of various Sorcerer Kings throughout the region.
Ancient piers dot the coast of Waverly. Most have been restored and are in use by the city state. A small forest grows in the south east which is used for wood to construct the fleet of Waverly although they also import lumber from various colonies so they don’t deplete the local supply.
Lake Island
Lake Island is a lush rainforest covered active volcano. The caldera forms a natural lake that has filled with water. Lush grass covers the island on the lower slopes and provides fodder for kanks and erdlus. The lake at the top is quite warm and steam rises form the lake and the island gradually gets bigger each year. There is a small outpost from Waverly on the island and they are exploring the island for mineral deposits. A handful of giants also live here and they enjoy throwing interlopers into the lake. It is rumoured that the giants practice some sort of religious practice that involves letting their dead rest in the lake. The bodies are weighted down with valuables and a vast treasure resides at the bottom of the lake. Or so the tale goes.
Numerous ruins dot the Tyr regions dating from ancient days. The sand holds many secrets of the past. Below are some of the more well known ruins in the Tyr region.
Arkhold
The ruins of Arkhold are largely covered by the desert sands. A ruined castle that has been plundered overlooks the ruins atop a nearby hill. The sand often shifts revealing more of the ruins below. Travellers have often recovered metal weapons from the ruins in ages past but little remains now. A small band of mercenaries have set up camp within the ruins of the castle but what they want is unknown.
Bleak Tower
This circular tower rises from the shore of the silt sea forlorn and long abandoned. A green eldritch light still burns at night perhaps to guide long lost ships to shore. When the wind picks up loud bellowing sounds can be heard from the tower. In recent years a silt cleric has taken up residence and now silt can be seen trickling from the top of the tower.
Kalidnay
Kalidnay was once a large city state thousands of years ago. A large cracked ziggurat dominates the ruins of the city here. In its destruction the city was looted and the ruins of the former Sorcerer Kings palace and templar district only hint at the cities former opulence. Some strange Templars have settled in the ruins and they are restoring a few building. It is unknown who they follow but something seems to be stirring in the ruins. Slaves have been seen being lead into the cracked ziggurat never to be seen again.
Bodach
For thousands of years the ruins of Bodach has had a dire reputation as the haven of numerous undead creatures. It would seem that they have finally found their rest as the desert sands have all but swallowed the city. Powerful preservers have cleared out a small section of the runs and air using wind spells to clear the sand. It is unknown what they are looking for but it is rumoured they call themselves Wind Mages. Whatever they have done it seems they have finally brought rest to the walking dead of Bodach.
Giustenal
The ruins of Giustenal lie at the edge of the silt sea and much of the city has a fine haze of dust over it. The former domain of the Sorcerer King Dregoth he abandoned has former domain to rule the city state of Raam. A strange creature used to reside in the ruins known as the Caller in Darkness and it would lure travellers to their death. Over the years various rulers in the Tyr region have dispatched agents to recover what they could from the ruins and numerous records from Giustenal now lie in the libraries of the Sorcerer Kings. A strange dragon like race known as the Dray seem to have claimed the ruins for themselves and the place resembles an armed camp. The Dray once were loyal to Dregoth but he abandoned the Dray centuries ago when his planned ascension failed and he conquered Raam instead. Perhaps he blamed them for his failure but who knows? The Dray keep to themselves and it is unknown what their goals are.
Yaramuke
Another ruin of a once beautiful city state, little now remains. The city was destroyed millennia ago by Hamanu of Urik over some difference of opinion with its former queen Sielba. According to legend Sielba was a beauty worth dying for but she was destroyed by Hamanuover some quarrel about mining rights in the Smoking Crown. Piles of rubble now remain half buried by the desert sands. The magic Hamanu wrought was so terrible the land remains cursed to this day. Several druids are scattered around the surrounding area and are trying to remove the taint of Hamanus magic. Strangely enough they seem to have the support of Hamanu as once a month supplies arrive from Urik by his personal command.
While the dark sun beats down upon the and there are numerous interesting landmarks to be seen.
Dragons Bowl
By legend this basin was formed by the birth if the first great dragon. While unlikely this feature is a wonder in its own right. While at the nexus of three important trade routes it is difficult to reach as you have to traverse several thousand feet of treacherous cliffs to reach the bottom. It is much easier to use magic or psionics to make the trip. At the bottom is Lake Pit a last reminder of what Athas once was. The bowl is under the protection of several air and water clerics and small shrines to elemental air dot the cliffs leading down into the bowl. Over the years some clerics have developed a tradition of entombing their dead inside caves that dot the cliffs. Tomb raiders often set of various magical wards placed on the tombs or are often pushed off the cliffs as some of the wards summon air elementals to punish intruders.
Mekillot Mountains
These mountains vaguely resemble a great Mekillot prone on the ground. The mountains contain the near deserted village of Salt View. There are sites sacred to the desert elves here and on the peaks of the mountains strange ruins may be found resembling organic rock.
Celik
Once ruined Celik has been rebuilt and is ruled by House Mareneth which has managed to eliminate most rival trading houses of any power in the Tyr region. Celik is a very beautiful and green city with lush public gardens and a population approaching 20000. The water is drawn from underground aquifers and unlike the city states to the north no Sorcerer King rules Celik. Celik produces excess food and over half its populations are slaves. Here snbakles are regarded as holy and there is a strong serpent theme in the artwork of the city.
Government: A council of trade lords from house Mareneth rules Celik. Unknown to the rest of Athas house Mareneth was infiltrated centuries ago by the Yuan-Ti who now control Celik as an outpost of Orkoth which lies beyond the Jagged Cliffs. The ancient empire of the Yuan-Ti is being reborn and according to the elders of House Mareneth it is only a matter of time before they entwine the Tyr region in their coils.
Trade and Commerce: Celik has grown rich via the efforts of House Mareneth and foreign merchants are welcome in the cities marketplace. This is due to the Yuan-Ti having access to exotic goods imported from far off Orkoth. House Mareneth more or less has a virtual monopoly on land based trade in the southern Tyr region although they have agents throughout all of the cities to the north. Much to their consternation they have had little success infiltrating Urik and Waverly. Draj and Raam are also a city to far and those cities trade more with agents loyal to Razia of Waverly.
Kreen Lands
The Kreen Lands are the lands of the former Kreen Empire located beyond the Jagged Cliffs. Centuries ago there was a massive earth quake that granted the empire access to the Tyr region. The empire mobilised for war and sent advance scouts into the Tyr region. Zik’ Chil priests of change has even some Kreen so they could climb the cliffs and assault the Halflings of Thamasku. The ravenous Kreen quickly overran the hinterlands and flanked the Ringing Mountains to the north and south and were poised for a massive assault on the Tyr region and even briefly laid siege to Tyr and Urik. However some life shapers from Thamasku which was also under assault form the Kreen had the final say.
While the Halflings of Thamasku believed life was sacred they realised that in nature life forms would compete for dominance. Although saddened they releases a plague virus that only effected the Kreen. The plague decimated the invasion force and as the troops were recalled plague broke out in the heartlands of the empire. Over 95% of the Kreen population were killed and the empire collapsed. Centuries later the population has almost recovered and the savannah is now the scene of the Kreen Civil War. Various factions and sub races are struggling over limited resources and the Zik’Chil seek to re-establish the empire and expand once again.
Kurn
The city state of Kurn lies in ruins and has been abandoned to the desert. The former Sorcerer King Oronis got involved in a war with Eldaarich due to one of Daskinor’s delusions. The people were scattered although precious few were captured by Daskinor’s slavers. Oronis simply scattered his people and they regrouped at New Kurn after fleeing west into the mountains. Kurn now exists hidden away from the rest of Athas although agents of Oronis continue to manipulate events and support preservers throughout the world.
Saragar
For the first time in millennia the Mindlords have finally decided to get involved in the affairs of Athas. Around a thousand years ago the border guardian network was about to collapse and the Mindlords were going insane from their long imprisonment within their obsidian orbs. Thesik realized this and had to take drastic actions. Restoring the birder guardians was beyond the powers of the Mindlords in their current mental condition and Saragar was regressing from so many years of isolation.
Bending his considerable intellect for a solution Thesik managed to create an artificial body for himself that looked much like his old self but was immortal and ageless. Repeating the process on Barani and Kosverat for the first time in millennia the Mindlords were able to walk upon Athas once again. Since the Border Guardians network was about to collapse the Mindlords created a new race to guard their domain. Duplicating the process that created new bodies for themselves the Mindlords created the Crystal Born. Like themselves the Crystal Born are living constructs and are immortal and appear to be humans with crystal colored eyes and hair. Saragar had its new guardians.
In the thousand years or so since the Mindlords assumed new bodies they created additional Crystal Born which rapidly outgrew the capacity of Saragar. Since they required no sustenance for survival the Mindlords released some of them into the surrounding area. Over the centuries they have created their own traditions and are able to survive in areas most other races cannot. The Crystal Born carved out their own empire and the Crystal Empire now encompasses most of the area north of Lava Gorge and is expanding to the south. Scouts have reached the Tyr regions while it is likely the empire will be at war with the bandit states in the near future. Crystal Born tend to be emotionless by human standards and the denizens of the empire seem to believe that other races incorporated into the empire are protected by them. To bad if other races don’t actually want to join.
Saragar is the defacto capital of the empire although formally it is ruled from the rebuilt city of Ral. The humans of Saragar exist more or less as they always have and the Mindlords seem to have recovered most of their sanity. Saragar is now protected by one of the largest armies on Athas and several hundred miles of Crystal born territory. Powerful Crystal Born psions have managed to build a psychic elevator to the Kreen Lands below the Jagged Cliffs and several hundred of them serve as mercenaries in the Kreen Civil War.
A couple things that im not to wild about though.
While I love the idea of Sadira being an immortal SQ due to her change into a sun wizard, I dont think she should have the ability to grant spells to templars nor should Atzetuk have the ability.
It said in Dragon Kings that the living vortices that provided that power were gone or extinct so no one else would have the ability.
I never cared for the templar class anyway though and never factor them in when I am dreaming up stuff for the setting.
While I love the idea of Sadira being an immortal SQ due to her change into a sun wizard, I dont think she should have the ability to grant spells to templars nor should Atzetuk have the ability.
It said in Dragon Kings that the living vortices that provided that power were gone or extinct so no one else would have the ability.
I never cared for the templar class anyway though and never factor them in when I am dreaming up stuff for the setting.
Sadira as a SQ I agree whole heartedly with, but the information in Dragon Kings I disagree with, the term "Living" implies some level of self-preservation. And before you start to argue against that keep in mind ALL living things have a way of preservation either through off-spring and/or adaptation, it's one of the defining concepts about life.
Tectucktitlay's vortices could have attached itself to any number of things to prevent it's demise - the sacrificial alter, the generic life-force of Draj, the nearest living being to it; Kalak’s, Borys’ and Abalach-Re’s would have most likely done something similar in my opinion. Andropinis’ may have still be connected to him while in the Black. Livings vortices could also be attracted the beings of power, eventually this would have led to Sadira and Atzetuk eventually inheriting that power.
As for Templars, you call yourself a fan of Athas ;) Templars are a part of the genre, one of the many things making Dark Sun what it is in it's unique way. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Anyway, that's just my thoughts on the matter. Feel free to disagree, we're not in the same game - just our version of the setting.
By the way who is Rizia?
Here inheriting the ability sounds OK, if it were Abalach-Re's vortice attaching itself to her killer. Still not liking the idea of Atzetuk becoming a dragon though. But again why not
By the way who is Rizia?
Razia the Purifier is a new SQ I made up. She is going to play a big part in my campaign. She is from the other side of the Silt Sea and she has been aroud since before the Cleansing Wars is all I'll say. She kinda handy to have around and she likes being right.
On the whole I love the expanded timeline. I would like to know more of this Rizia woman though; who is she and where did she come from.
A couple things that im not to wild about though.
While I love the idea of Sadira being an immortal SQ due to her change into a sun wizard, I dont think she should have the ability to grant spells to templars nor should Atzetuk have the ability.
It said in Dragon Kings that the living vortices that provided that power were gone or extinct so no one else would have the ability.
I never cared for the templar class anyway though and never factor them in when I am dreaming up stuff for the setting.
Well, because of the formation of the Grey and the Black, the 5th dimensional omni-elemental polynynomorph vagabond known as "Badna" is the only one of it's kind in the Darksun Setting (2nd Eddition Psionics Handbook:page 122,Dragon Kings:Page 11,Preservers and Defilers:Page 18)
Just because there is only Badna, and just because it was originally only attracted to the 15 Champions (and possible Rajaat too) and decided to reside in each of their primordial lobes originally, doesn't mean that, after a Sorcerer Kings death, Badna would just leave....cause it can't cause of the Black and Grey
Further more for each "finger" that is now free, it can explore for new and interesting things and there is always a "central body" where new information is stored and shared with other "fingers" when possible. Badna's 50,000HP host is outside of the Darksun Crystal Sphere so it's fingers in Dark Sun is cut off from the main host by the Black and Grey and no more of it's type ever came to Athas so it is unique
Badna's current 2000hp body hiding in the Elemental Shperes (exists in all Spheres at same time) with "fingers" averaging 120hp and siphoning of the host at 2hp a round as needed. Badna gains experience from learning new things in its hosts as well as adventuring on it's own which is why it's has more Hit points then the original "fingers" that entered Dark Sun REalm and joined with the Champions of Rajaat (originally 15x120HP, several fingers slain in Mele or with host). The same channels that lets Badna communicate information back and forth between it's "fingers" and it's host body in the Elementa; (along with Hitpoints) is the same channels that allow it's Athasianian hosts to grant Elemental Spells. Badna could actually sever these connections at will (to protect the host from a "finger" being poisoned by a Prime Creatures bite in Mele for example), but has no need to when is just riding in a creatures primodial lobe
Why wouldn't Badna be attracted to someone messing around with the Pristine Tower once again, and finding the Sun Wizard a interesting being to ride in the primordial lobe and "observe"?
Oh, and there is a Spell called "Summon Badna". Of course it wasn't actually called that when the "Grand Viser" used the spell to find out what was her source of power. Unfortunately "Badna" is a 5th Dimensional Creature...a "Nightmare Creature" and on seeing inky blackness come from all around and form into a pool then stand up and form into a Human with 4 arms (Badna's prefered spontanious material form) she needed to save v.s. fear seeing a nightmare creature form and failed and had to save v.s. Wisdom to avoid insanity and failed...so she considered Badna the "Higher power" when in effect the granting of Elemental Spells is just a weird side-effect unique to Polynynomorphs(common name, they have no race name of their own and prefer their given name as what they are..this one is "Badna") taking residence in Athasian creatures.
It is 7th Level and requires just the Obisdian orb in "Aby's" case, but you need a interesting artifact or relic offered "as payment" for Badna to show and then you could make a case for it to "observe" you, or Ally with you in Battle
Badna is 5th Level Fighter, 4 attacks 1d6 each + save v.s. Poison or be slain by Nightmare creature...same is true everytime Badna is bitten or struck with claws or figernails by a "prime" creature like human,elf,etc...weapons have no poison effect,need +5 to damage Badna for + Damage only and Badna is immune to all Magic and Psionic attacks).
In either case Badna takes the artifact to it's secret hideaway of treasures (What a Creature such as badna does with such things, only Badna knows. If the Finger is Slain, such as from failing it's poison save (Finger is usually detatched from host during battle,just in case, then "uplnks" again to update it's experience if it survives the battle) Badna slumps into a puddle of Black inky "nothing" that gets smaller and slammer then disapears and that particular "finger" of Badna is utterly dead...though the host can create a new one to enter Athas via the Elemental Plane