Fairly new to Athas, where to begin? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Fairly new to Athas, where to begin?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
ellanon
Aug 08, 2004 3:40:10 Ten years ago a friend ran our group for a few weeks in Athas. While we had a great time, we eventually returned to more familiar territory in FR and DL.

I have been yearning to explore Athas again and think I have the right players to do it. I want to run one adventure with them as aliens to Athas before I move them there permanently (...if...). I have a good mix of books and lots of time on my hands. Where should I begin in regards to the books and Athas itself? I hear the Tyr region has changed alot since I last played. Would that be a good place to start them out?

A few notes about this group. We change DM's every time we level to keep the DM's and players from getting burned out. So far for this campaign it has been working great. In order to eliminate favortism, we all level at the exact same rate. There are no LA's so everyone levels at the same time (How could we say when it was time to change the DM? LOL) So, in order to assure even progression, we eliminated multiclass XP penalties. So, do not be surprised by what you see below.

My group consists of the following:

These players are there consistantly, every weekend. They are also the rotating DM's, myself included (Mine is the Dwarf.)
Gnome Bard/Rogue/Sorcerer/Harper Agent 2/2/1/1
Human (Celestial) Cleric of Kord (2)/4
Dwarven Barbarian/Ranger 1/5

These players occasionally show up and we do not factor them in the encounters anymore. But, we do enjoy their company when they do show up.
Gnome Sorcerer 6
Human Rogue/Shadow Thief of Amn 5/1
Half-Elf Druid 6

This list only gives you an idea on the group makeup, my turn to DM the game is at 9th level. Considering no drastic changes in the class progression or group makeup, what would you suggest I run for them?

I am looking forward to roleplaying my characters first meeting with Athasian Dwarves and Muls. I think the cleric is going to get alot of attention when he tries to preach about Kord. He does not know it yet, but the other DM and I have decided that his character is a spawn of Kord himself. That could come into play and make things interesting for a world with no gods. The Harper Agent's bardic knowledge ability will be severely hampered. (Speaking of which, how much do you think it should be hampered, if at all, and what kind of numbers would you give in this situation?)

If these players (and I) can handle Athas well, I plan on starting out next game there and making it permanent.

So, for this one level game, what should I do? Where do you suggest I start them out? What books are MUST READ prior to running a game in Athas? I want this to be as fun and interesting as possible and I want to represent Athas in the best manner I am capable of.

Suggestions, please?
#2
xlorepdarkhelm_dup
Aug 08, 2004 3:49:31 1. Athas.org is a great place to get the latest official releases for Dark Sun for 3.5e - ranging from core rules to monsters converted from 2nd Edition. New material for it is constantly being developed.

2. I'd suggest, for flavor material for Dark Sun, swinging over to SV Games and looking into downloading the PDF's, or if you are feeling froggy, looking for them on eBay.

3. Welcome to the forum.
#3
ellanon
Aug 08, 2004 4:12:45 Ack, did I not put it in my first post? I have purchased, online and off, many of the books for DS in preparation for this already.

Arcane Shadows (Adventure)
Beyong the Prism Pentad
Campaign Setting (Revised and Expanded)
Campaign Setting
City by the Silt Sea
City State of Tyr
Defilers and Preservers - The Wizards of Athas
Dragon Kings
Dune Trader
Earth, Air, Fire and Water
Elves of Athas
Forest Maker (Adventure)
Marauders of Nibenay (Adventure)
Merchant House Of Amketch (Adventure)
Monstrous Compendium 2 - Terrors Beyond Tyr
Psionic Artifacts of Athas
The Complete Gladiator's Handbook
The Wanderer's Chronicle - Mind Lord of the Last Sea
Thri-Kreen of Athas

You would be amazed at what you can find at used book stores and even at hobby shops, and how cheap you can get it all.

I also have everything I could find to download from Athas.org.
3.5 Conversion
City State of Draj
Terrors of Athas
Terrors of the Deadlands
Villages of the Wastes
Wisdom of the Drylanders

By the way, thanks to everyone who has kept the fire burning! It is amazing to not only find Athas still alive, but thriving!
#4
xlorepdarkhelm_dup
Aug 08, 2004 9:43:23 Athas.org also has a listing of all the published books from 2nd Edition.

To get a real good feel for the world, I'd suggest re-reading the game materials. Another good place for information is the post history of this forum.
#5
ellanon
Aug 08, 2004 11:29:57 Aside from the Campaign Setting box set, what else is suggested reading before I get started? Also, where would you suggest I begin an adventure in Athas? Near Tyr I assume?
#6
Pennarin
Aug 08, 2004 12:03:10 If you choose to play in Tyr or Nibenay, you get the cities with the most information written about them.

Nibenay: Camapign Setting box, a whole book in the Ivory Triangle box, a chapter in Veiled Alliance.

Tyr: Camapign Setting box, City-State of Tyr, a chapter in Veiled Alliance.

Welcome, btw! :P
#7
ellanon
Aug 08, 2004 12:06:54
Originally posted by Pennarin
If you choose to play in Tyr or Nibenay, you get the cities with the most information written about them.

Nibenay: Camapign Setting box, a whole book in the Ivory Triangle box, a chapter in Veiled Alliance.

Tyr: Camapign Setting box, City-State of Tyr, a chapter in Veiled Alliance.

Welcome, btw! :P

Thank you. That is exactly what I was looking for. I'll give those a read.

Does anyone have a preference between Nibenay and Tyr? Is there anything about them I should know about that I will not find in the products?
#8
zombiegleemax
Aug 08, 2004 16:14:46 Just makes sure that if you run a game set at all in the city state of Nibenay as written, make sure your players have a sense of maturity.
#9
Pennarin
Aug 08, 2004 16:22:24 :D

Yeah, there's that too. Bare-breasted templars and all...
#10
ellanon
Aug 08, 2004 17:55:35 Thank you, I will keep that in mind.
#11
zombiegleemax
Aug 09, 2004 4:12:09 I too am new to the world of Athas, I am in the process of building a campaign. I think that by setting my characters in a village near Tyr it gives them the options of the big city, me vast resources of written material, but also the ability to expand off in diferent directions, and to control just what sort of trouble they can get into. It is going to be an interesting experiment, good luck with yours.
#12
ellanon
Aug 09, 2004 6:38:16 Thank you so much. I am getting excited at the prospect of running my group in DS.

One more question: What time period would be best to introduce the group to Athas? Prior to the fall of the Dragon King of Tyr? Or after? Or sometime else entirely?
#13
korvar
Aug 09, 2004 8:40:58 IMO, before the fall of Kalak. Definitely the best time to start.
#14
ellanon
Aug 09, 2004 12:18:26
Originally posted by Korvar
IMO, before the fall of Kalak. Definitely the best time to start.

That is not a name I am familiar with. In what source may I find that information?
#15
zombiegleemax
Aug 09, 2004 12:26:21 Kalak is the Sorceror King who dies when Tyr becomes a free city (well, rather the other way around :D). You can probably find information in the Prism Pentad as well as the revised Box set.
#16
ellanon
Aug 09, 2004 12:34:52
Originally posted by az_zel
Kalak is the Sorceror King who dies when Tyr becomes a free city (well, rather the other way around :D). You can probably find information in the Prism Pentad as well as the revised Box set.

Ah, I was not aware Kalak was his name. Thank you.
#17
Pennarin
Aug 09, 2004 14:00:23 He's described with stats in City-State of Tyr. But your best bet for a personnal introduction to Dark Sun is reading the Prism Pentad novels, probably you could just read the first one to begin with, The Verdant Passage; that's the easiest one to find on amazon.com or ebay or in a used-book store, even your local RPG shop if its big enough (the series is still sold new in Montreal).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 ellanon Aug 08, 2004 3:40:10	Ten years ago a friend ran our group for a few weeks in Athas. While we had a great time, we eventually returned to more familiar territory in FR and DL. I have been yearning to explore Athas again and think I have the right players to do it. I want to run one adventure with them as aliens to Athas before I move them there permanently (...if...). I have a good mix of books and lots of time on my hands. Where should I begin in regards to the books and Athas itself? I hear the Tyr region has changed alot since I last played. Would that be a good place to start them out? A few notes about this group. We change DM's every time we level to keep the DM's and players from getting burned out. So far for this campaign it has been working great. In order to eliminate favortism, we all level at the exact same rate. There are no LA's so everyone levels at the same time (How could we say when it was time to change the DM? LOL) So, in order to assure even progression, we eliminated multiclass XP penalties. So, do not be surprised by what you see below. My group consists of the following: These players are there consistantly, every weekend. They are also the rotating DM's, myself included (Mine is the Dwarf.) Gnome Bard/Rogue/Sorcerer/Harper Agent 2/2/1/1 Human (Celestial) Cleric of Kord (2)/4 Dwarven Barbarian/Ranger 1/5 These players occasionally show up and we do not factor them in the encounters anymore. But, we do enjoy their company when they do show up. Gnome Sorcerer 6 Human Rogue/Shadow Thief of Amn 5/1 Half-Elf Druid 6 This list only gives you an idea on the group makeup, my turn to DM the game is at 9th level. Considering no drastic changes in the class progression or group makeup, what would you suggest I run for them? I am looking forward to roleplaying my characters first meeting with Athasian Dwarves and Muls. I think the cleric is going to get alot of attention when he tries to preach about Kord. He does not know it yet, but the other DM and I have decided that his character is a spawn of Kord himself. That could come into play and make things interesting for a world with no gods. The Harper Agent's bardic knowledge ability will be severely hampered. (Speaking of which, how much do you think it should be hampered, if at all, and what kind of numbers would you give in this situation?) If these players (and I) can handle Athas well, I plan on starting out next game there and making it permanent. So, for this one level game, what should I do? Where do you suggest I start them out? What books are MUST READ prior to running a game in Athas? I want this to be as fun and interesting as possible and I want to represent Athas in the best manner I am capable of. Suggestions, please?
#2 xlorepdarkhelm_dup Aug 08, 2004 3:49:31	1. Athas.org is a great place to get the latest official releases for Dark Sun for 3.5e - ranging from core rules to monsters converted from 2nd Edition. New material for it is constantly being developed. 2. I'd suggest, for flavor material for Dark Sun, swinging over to SV Games and looking into downloading the PDF's, or if you are feeling froggy, looking for them on eBay. 3. Welcome to the forum.
#3 ellanon Aug 08, 2004 4:12:45	Ack, did I not put it in my first post? I have purchased, online and off, many of the books for DS in preparation for this already. Arcane Shadows (Adventure) Beyong the Prism Pentad Campaign Setting (Revised and Expanded) Campaign Setting City by the Silt Sea City State of Tyr Defilers and Preservers - The Wizards of Athas Dragon Kings Dune Trader Earth, Air, Fire and Water Elves of Athas Forest Maker (Adventure) Marauders of Nibenay (Adventure) Merchant House Of Amketch (Adventure) Monstrous Compendium 2 - Terrors Beyond Tyr Psionic Artifacts of Athas The Complete Gladiator's Handbook The Wanderer's Chronicle - Mind Lord of the Last Sea Thri-Kreen of Athas You would be amazed at what you can find at used book stores and even at hobby shops, and how cheap you can get it all. I also have everything I could find to download from Athas.org. 3.5 Conversion City State of Draj Terrors of Athas Terrors of the Deadlands Villages of the Wastes Wisdom of the Drylanders By the way, thanks to everyone who has kept the fire burning! It is amazing to not only find Athas still alive, but thriving!
#4 xlorepdarkhelm_dup Aug 08, 2004 9:43:23	Athas.org also has a listing of all the published books from 2nd Edition. To get a real good feel for the world, I'd suggest re-reading the game materials. Another good place for information is the post history of this forum.
#5 ellanon Aug 08, 2004 11:29:57	Aside from the Campaign Setting box set, what else is suggested reading before I get started? Also, where would you suggest I begin an adventure in Athas? Near Tyr I assume?
#6 Pennarin Aug 08, 2004 12:03:10	If you choose to play in Tyr or Nibenay, you get the cities with the most information written about them. Nibenay: Camapign Setting box, a whole book in the Ivory Triangle box, a chapter in Veiled Alliance. Tyr: Camapign Setting box, City-State of Tyr, a chapter in Veiled Alliance. Welcome, btw! :P
#7 ellanon Aug 08, 2004 12:06:54	Originally posted by Pennarin If you choose to play in Tyr or Nibenay, you get the cities with the most information written about them. Nibenay: Camapign Setting box, a whole book in the Ivory Triangle box, a chapter in Veiled Alliance. Tyr: Camapign Setting box, City-State of Tyr, a chapter in Veiled Alliance. Welcome, btw! :P Thank you. That is exactly what I was looking for. I'll give those a read. Does anyone have a preference between Nibenay and Tyr? Is there anything about them I should know about that I will not find in the products?
#8 zombiegleemax Aug 08, 2004 16:14:46	Just makes sure that if you run a game set at all in the city state of Nibenay as written, make sure your players have a sense of maturity.
#9 Pennarin Aug 08, 2004 16:22:24	:D Yeah, there's that too. Bare-breasted templars and all...
#10 ellanon Aug 08, 2004 17:55:35	Thank you, I will keep that in mind.
#11 zombiegleemax Aug 09, 2004 4:12:09	I too am new to the world of Athas, I am in the process of building a campaign. I think that by setting my characters in a village near Tyr it gives them the options of the big city, me vast resources of written material, but also the ability to expand off in diferent directions, and to control just what sort of trouble they can get into. It is going to be an interesting experiment, good luck with yours.
#12 ellanon Aug 09, 2004 6:38:16	Thank you so much. I am getting excited at the prospect of running my group in DS. One more question: What time period would be best to introduce the group to Athas? Prior to the fall of the Dragon King of Tyr? Or after? Or sometime else entirely?
#13 korvar Aug 09, 2004 8:40:58	IMO, before the fall of Kalak. Definitely the best time to start.
#14 ellanon Aug 09, 2004 12:18:26	Originally posted by Korvar IMO, before the fall of Kalak. Definitely the best time to start. That is not a name I am familiar with. In what source may I find that information?
#15 zombiegleemax Aug 09, 2004 12:26:21	Kalak is the Sorceror King who dies when Tyr becomes a free city (well, rather the other way around :D). You can probably find information in the Prism Pentad as well as the revised Box set.
#16 ellanon Aug 09, 2004 12:34:52	Originally posted by az_zel Kalak is the Sorceror King who dies when Tyr becomes a free city (well, rather the other way around :D). You can probably find information in the Prism Pentad as well as the revised Box set. Ah, I was not aware Kalak was his name. Thank you.
#17 Pennarin Aug 09, 2004 14:00:23	He's described with stats in City-State of Tyr. But your best bet for a personnal introduction to Dark Sun is reading the Prism Pentad novels, probably you could just read the first one to begin with, The Verdant Passage; that's the easiest one to find on amazon.com or ebay or in a used-book store, even your local RPG shop if its big enough (the series is still sold new in Montreal).