One of the biggest announcements at GenCon Indy 2009 was of the next campaign book for Wizard of the Coast's Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition. They made the official announcement that the Dark Sun world of Athas would be the next campaign book for the game and that it would be released in 2010. This decision was made to the delight of many fans, as it is considered one of Wizard of the Coast's more fan friendly decisions to date.
Instead of traditional fantasy worlds like Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, and Greyhawk, the Dark Sun setting takes place in the world of Athas. It is a desert like world that is more of a post-apocalyptic setting than a fantasy setting. The world is very harsh and brutal compared to traditional fantasy games.
Magic versus psionics is one of the biggest differences in the setting of Dark Sun. The world of Athas has been brutalized by years of magical backlash and destruction. As such, magic is much less common in the world. Its replacement is psionics, which is much more common and accepted among the population.
There are many unique races in Dark Sun that are playable character races. Muls are half dwarf and half human hybrids. Thri-Kreen are mantis like creatures with multiple limbs. Half-Giants are considered a playable character race as well. In addition, there are also the 'standard' races such as Human, Elf, Dwarf, Half-Elf, and Halfling.
There is some variation between the classes in Dark Sun and the classes from traditional fantasy settings. First, there really isn't any equivalent for Paladins, Monks, and Sorcerers in the Dark Sun world. As stated earlier, psionics are much more commonplace so the traditional 'magic classes' are either not represented or are drastically altered in this setting.
For anyone not familiar with the Dark Sun setting, it may be good for them (especially the game master) to get leg up on learning the world. The Tribe of One is a short three book series by Simon Hawke that is a great starter series. Also, the Chronicles of Athas is a five book series with multiple authors, so you can get a variety of writing styles.
Many of the Dark Sun resources available on the internet are free for fans to use. There is the Unofficial Dark Sun Wiki, a Dark Sun interactive Atlas for the World of Athas, the Official Dark Sun Discussion Forum at Wizards of the Coast, and many other product releases that are available if you know where to look.
I, and many other fans, am ecstatic about the choice of Dark Sun as the next setting for Dungeon & Dragons 4e. It is a fan pleasing choice that gives more variety to the D&D 4e settings. Look for the Dark Sun Campaign Guide in 2010 from Wizards of the Coast.
Instead of traditional fantasy worlds like Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, and Greyhawk, the Dark Sun setting takes place in the world of Athas. It is a desert like world that is more of a post-apocalyptic setting than a fantasy setting. The world is very harsh and brutal compared to traditional fantasy games.
Magic versus psionics is one of the biggest differences in the setting of Dark Sun. The world of Athas has been brutalized by years of magical backlash and destruction. As such, magic is much less common in the world. Its replacement is psionics, which is much more common and accepted among the population.
There are many unique races in Dark Sun that are playable character races. Muls are half dwarf and half human hybrids. Thri-Kreen are mantis like creatures with multiple limbs. Half-Giants are considered a playable character race as well. In addition, there are also the 'standard' races such as Human, Elf, Dwarf, Half-Elf, and Halfling.
There is some variation between the classes in Dark Sun and the classes from traditional fantasy settings. First, there really isn't any equivalent for Paladins, Monks, and Sorcerers in the Dark Sun world. As stated earlier, psionics are much more commonplace so the traditional 'magic classes' are either not represented or are drastically altered in this setting.
For anyone not familiar with the Dark Sun setting, it may be good for them (especially the game master) to get leg up on learning the world. The Tribe of One is a short three book series by Simon Hawke that is a great starter series. Also, the Chronicles of Athas is a five book series with multiple authors, so you can get a variety of writing styles.
Many of the Dark Sun resources available on the internet are free for fans to use. There is the Unofficial Dark Sun Wiki, a Dark Sun interactive Atlas for the World of Athas, the Official Dark Sun Discussion Forum at Wizards of the Coast, and many other product releases that are available if you know where to look.
I, and many other fans, am ecstatic about the choice of Dark Sun as the next setting for Dungeon & Dragons 4e. It is a fan pleasing choice that gives more variety to the D&D 4e settings. Look for the Dark Sun Campaign Guide in 2010 from Wizards of the Coast.
About the Author:
George Mueller writes about Roleplaying Games and the the the Dark Sun setting campaign guide Campaign Setting.
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