Dark Sun--as a DM.

[TADHG]

So, I've read a bit about the background of Athas, the different races that are native to the planet, the history, the gritty realism. A little more dangerous that typical 5e.

I've gone through my Monster Manual, and tried to picture what monsters might appear in the setting. I've come up with a SINGLE adventure hook that seems promising. The hunt for some sort of underground spring. It's a desert world, decimated by magic.

I'm getting a feeling that using magic takes life force. You cannot use magic without harming some sort of life. I'm working out what that means, as far as hit point damage.

Metal isn't really a thing in this world. Weapons and armor are wood and bone, maybe stone (for weapons).

What I'm looking for are more ideas. I have a good three months before I start the campaign, definitely after tax season is over (because I'm working two jobs right now). I did support a WebDM kickstarter for something called Weird Wastelands. They have a psionicist class.

[Strange2099]

Hi Tad,

I’m curious to know what system you might be considering to run such a campaign?

Also, having ‘read a bit about the background”, it sounds like you haven’t read any of the actual core material? Because while you are certainly correct that the world of Athas has been decimated by magic, and the more prevalent magic that remains (Defiler magic) does draw from and damage surrounding life to power it’s spells, there is some magic left (Preserver magic) that works in harmony with life. Also, clerics of the sorcerer kings (since no deities) can also use non-defiling magic.

As for inspiration, if you haven’t seen this resource, I highly recommend it: https://athas.org/

[TADHG]

Originally Posted by Strange2099

Hi Tad,

I’m curious to know what system you might be considering to run such a campaign?

Also, having ‘read a bit about the background”, it sounds like you haven’t read any of the actual core material? Because while you are certainly correct that the world of Athas has been decimated by magic, and the more prevalent magic that remains (Defiler magic) does draw from and damage surrounding life to power it’s spells, there is some magic left (Preserver magic) that works in harmony with life. Also, clerics of the sorcerer kings (since no deities) can also use non-defiling magic.

As for inspiration, if you haven’t seen this resource, I highly recommend it: https://athas.org/

I can use any help I can get! Thanks very much for the advice. I had thought that all magic had a negative effect, but I may have misunderstood.

This would be considerably easier using 3rd edition or even, as they call it, 3.5, because there's already material available. I think it actually came out originally during second edition. Alas, all the source material I currently have is for 5th edition, and that's what most would want to play. And I should have mentioned this in my initial post. I'm waiting for delivery of something called Weird Wastelands, put out by the people at WebDM. It has its own psionics system.

I've referenced several YouTube videos, and there's one REAL good one, that I'll need to rewatch, but it's runtime is either 2 or 3 hours. I'll also be looking into getting information about the elementalist class, since the gods have forsaken Athas, and their previous role has been taken over by elementals. I'll need to advise my players of that modification. And also, if they want healing magic, their best bet will be either druid or divine soul sorcerer. I'm not seeing any other class or subclass that will just not be able to work for the game.

I'm also seeing rules in the DMG for a "gritty realism" that I will be likely to employ. Weapons and armor will be effected, since metal is extremely rare. Let's see, what else? I would probably benefit from having a wider array of monsters than can be found in the Monster Manual. I've already gone through my copy and marked which ones would seem appropriate to the setting. But I'm going to be doing quite a bit of research before I make my final determinations.

What would help is some advice about adventure ideas in Athas. I have only one at this point, the hunt for a certain underground spring. I live in the US, and I remember visiting an underground lake called the Lost Sea. Water is a very precious resource.

Oh, and I just had a thought: races will be limited. They agreed to put halflings and elves in there, though they are unique compared to the typical ones. Not sure about dwarves. There is a race called muls, and another called thri-keen. Humans, of course. But if someone wants to play a firbolg, or a gnome, or some other races, they might be out of luck.

I've had some thoughts about natural hazards. Dust devils and sandstorms might arise, if I can figure out how they should be implemented.

Again, thanks for the link. I have several months before I'll be able to start a campaign, so that should give me time to research and learn all I can. I'll probably still give a disclaimer that it is Athas-adjacent, a world very much like Athas, but not a perfect reconstruction.

[TADHG]

The link is a BIG help.

Though I think it will be easier to adapt the 2e material than the 3.5 material.

[TADHG]

My current DM actually owns the box set. So, who knows, I might be running a 2e game.