Dark Sun Campaign Setting.pdf

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DARK SUNR CAMPAIGN SETTiNG

ROLEPLAYING GAME SUPPLEMENTRichard Baker • Robert J. Schwalb Rodney Thompson

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CRE1YLTS

Design Art Director

Richard Baker (lead), Roberti. Schwalb Keven Smith

Additional Design Cover IllustrationsLogan Bonner, Bruce R. Cordell, Wayne Reynolds (front),

Chris Sims, Travis Stout William O’Connor (back)

Development Graphic DesignerRodney Thompson (lead), Keven Smith

Stephen Radney-MacFarland,Peter Schaefer, Stephen Schubert Interior Illustrations

Ralph Beisner, Eric Belisle, Kerem Beyit, Zoltan BorosAdditional Development & Gabor Szikszai, Julie Dillon, Emrah Elmasli, Wayne

Andy Collins England, Jason A. Engle, Warren Mahy, WilliamO’Connor, David Rapoza,John Stanko, Sarah Stone,

Editing Eva WidermannMichele Carter (lead), Greg Bilsland,

M. AlexanderJurkat, Ray Vallese CartographersAdam Gillespie, Jason A. Engle

Managing EditingKim Mohan Publishing Production Specialist

Christopher Tardiff

Director of D&D R&D and Book PublishingBill Slavicsek Prepress Manager

Jefferson DunlapD&D Creative Manager

Christopher Perkins Imaging TechnicianSven Bolen

D&D Design ManagerJames Wyatt Production Manager

Cynda Callaway

D&D Development and Editing ManagerAndy Collins Setting details based on the original DARK SUN setting

created by Troy Denning and Timothy B. Brown.

D&D Senior Creative Art DirectorJon Schindehette Game rules based on the original DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

rules created by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson,and the later editions by David “Zeb” Cook (2ndEdition); Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams,Richard Baker, and Peter Adkison (3rd Edition); andRob Heinsoo, Andy Collins, and James Wyatt (4th Edition).

620-25387000-001 U.S., CANADA, ASIA, PACIFIC, EUROPEAN HEADQUARTERS WIZARDS OF THE COAST, BELGIUM9 8 7 6 543 2 1 & LATIN AMERICA Hasbro UK Ltd Industrialaan 1

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DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, d20, d20 System, WIZARDS OF THE COAST, Adventurer’s Vault, Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, Monster Manual, DARK SUN, all otherWizards of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the U.S.A. and other countries. All Wizards characters and thedistinctive likenesses thereof are property of Wizards of the Coast LLC. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction orunauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of Wizards of the Coast LLC. Any similarity to actual people,organizations, places, or events included herein is purely coincidental. Printed in the U.S.A. 2010 Wizards of the Coast LLC.

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CONTENTSINTRODUCTION 4

1. THE ~ORLD OF AT1-IAS 6Heroes of Athas 8

Adventures on Athas 10Desperate Causes 11

Athasian Civilization 12Social Order 12Matters of Learning 14Athasian Coinage 14

Secrets of Power 16History of Athas 16Psionics and Magic 16Cosmology 17

2.R~L2ESOFATHAS 18Mul 20Thri-Kreen 22Peoples of Athas 24

Dragonborn (Dray) 24Character Backgrounds 24Dwarf 25The Vanquished Peoples 25Eladrin 26Elf 26Goliath (Half-Giant) 27Half-Elf 28Halfling 28Human 29Tiefling 30Other Races 30

Racial Paragon Paths 31Half-GiantThug 31Mul Battle Slave 32Thri-Kreen Predator 33

3. CHARP~TER TI-IENES 34Choosing a Theme 36Athasian Minstrel 38

Arms-Troubadour 40Unwelcome Guest 41

Dune Trader 42Caravan Master 44Shady Dealer 45

Elemental Priest 46Conjurations 47Rainbringer 48Smoking Crown Initiate 49

Gladiator 50Gladiator Champion 52Jazst Dancer 53

Noble Adept 54Mind General 56Psionic Scholar 57

Primal Guardian 58Guardian of the Land 60Voiceforthe Ravaged 61

Templar 62Master Defiler 64Praetor Legate 65

Veiled Alliance 66The Alliance and Defiling 66Master Preserver 68Veiled Guardian 69

Wasteland Nomad 70Dune Strider 72Sand Reaver 73

Wilder 74Resurgent Wilder 76Wielder of the Way 77

4. CHARACTER OPTIONS 78Arcane Magic 80

Defiling and Preserving 80Disguising Arcane Powers 80

Wild Talents 81Wild Battlemind 82Arena Fighter 86Animist Shaman 90Warlock Sorcerer King Pact 94Epic Destinies 98

Avangion 98Dragon King 99Hordemaster 100Mind Lord of the Order 101Pyreen 102

New Feats 103Rituals 116Equipment 118

Armor 119Weapons 120Double Weapons 1 22Adventuring Gear 123Transportation 1 23Magic Items 125

5. ATLAS OF AT1-{AS 130A Desert Primer 132Tyr, the Free City 134

Tyr’s Code ofJustice 136Jossi the juggler 137Xalos the Stonecutter 1 38GavanSul 138Haneth Tsalaxa 139The Scarlet Helms 140Gangs of the Warrens 140Fighting in the Stadium 141Meeting with the Templars 142Fountain of Leaves 143

Balic, City of Sails 144Darian Haraxes 146

Draj, City of the Moons 148Maxlixoco, High Moon Priest . . . .149The Black Guard 151

Estuary of the Forked Tongue 152Giant Holds 152

The Forest Ridge 154Halfling Tribes 1 54The Forest Colossi 154

Guig, the Forest City 1 56The Oba and

the Primal Spirits 158Travelers’ Dagadas 158Ken-kentu Vek,

the Adder who Dances 1 59Sunlight Home 159

The Ivory Triangle 160Druids of the Crescent Forest . . .161Dregoth,

the Undead Sorcerer-King 162Korsk, Salt View Malcontent . . .163

Nibenay, City of Spires 164PolanFelk 166Dhojakt, Prince of Nibenay 167

Raam, CityofUnrest 168Raam’s Castes 170Ushuch-Si 171

Ringing Mountains 172Ruins of

the Ringing Mountains 172Road of Kings 1 74

Enola, Guardian of the Lake 176Golden Dreams 177

TheSeaofSilt 178The Nature of the Silt 179The God in the Dust 179

The Southern Wastes 182Herumar, the Sand Scourge 182

The Tablelands 184Birk Suntouched 185Zeburon, the Iron rider 185SeerMafoun 186

Urik, City of Lions 188Silan the Serpent 190Maetan Lubar 191

The Western Hinterlands 192The Kreen Khanates 192

6. RUNNING A DARK SUNGANE 194

Adventure Creation 196The Desert 196Athasian Ecology 196Survival 197Slavery 197Psionics 197Arcane Magic 197

Travel and Survival 198Overland Movement 198Surviving Athas 198

Encounter Building 200Arena Encounters 200Wilderness Encounters 202Athasian Skill Challenges 204Secret History of Athas 208

Treasure and Rewards 209Sand Raiders 216

INDEX 223

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iNTRODUCTiON“I live in a world offire and sand. The crimson sun scorchesthe lifefrom anything that crawls orflies, and storms ofsand s?~our thejfoliagefrom the barren ground. This is aland ofblood1and dust, where tribes offrral elves sweep outof the salt plains to plunder lonely caravans, mysterioussinging winds call travelers to slow suffocation in the Sea ofSilt, and seifish kings squander their subjects’ lives buildinggaudy palaces and garish tombs. This bleak wasteland isAthas, and it is my home.”

—The Wanderer’sJournal

Beneath a crimson sun lie wastelands ofmajestic desolation and cities of cruel splendor, where sandal cladheroes battle ancient sorcery and terrible monsters.This is Athas, the world of the DARK SUN campaignsetting, a dying planet of savagery and desolation. Lifehangs by a thread in this barren land, and now it isup to you to write your own story in blood and glory.

EIGHT CHARACTERISTICSOF ATHASThe world of the DARK SUN setting is unique in several ways. Many familiar trappings of the DUNGEONS

& DRAGONS game are missing or turned on theirheads. Athas is not a place of shining knights androbed wizards, of deep forests and divine pantheons.To venture over the sands ofAthas is to enter a worldof savagery and splendor that draws on different traditions of fantasy and storytelling. Simple survivalbeneath the deep red sun is often its own adventure.

Newcomers to Athas have much to learn about theworld, its people, and its monsters, but the followingeight characteristics encapsulate the most importantfeatures of the DARK SUN campaign setting.

1. THE WORI..D is A DESERTAthas is a hot, arid planet covered with endless seasof dunes, lifeless salt flats, stony wastes, rocky badlands, thorny scrublands, and worse. From the firstmoments of dawn, the crimson sun beats down froman olive tinged sky. Temperatures routinely exceed100 degrees F. by midmorning and can reach 130degrees or more by late afternoon. The wind is likethe blast of a furnace, offering no relief from theoppressive heat. Dust and sand borne on the breezecoat everything with yellow-orange silt.

In this forbidding world, cities and villages existonly in a few oases or verdant plains. Some placesdon’t see rain for years at a time, and even in fertileregions, rain is little more than a humid mist thatfalls during a few weeks each year before giving

way to long months of heat and drought. The worldbeyond these islands of civilization is a wastelandroamed by nomads, raiders, and hungry monsters.

Athas was not always a desert, and the parchedlandscape is dotted with the crumbling ruins ofa planet that once was rich with rivers and seas.Ancient bridges over dry watercourses and emptystone quays that face seas of sand tell the tale of aworld that is no more.

2. THE WORLD is SAVAGELife on Athas is brutal and short. Bloodthirsty raiders,greedy slavers, and hordes of inhuman savages overrun the deserts and wastelands. The cities are littlebetter; each chokes in the grip of an ageless tyrant.The institution of slavery is widespread on Athas, andmany unfortunates spend their lives in chains, toilingfor brutal taskmasters. Every year hundreds of slaves,perhaps thousands, are sent to their deaths in bloodyarena spectacles. Charity, compassion, kindness—these qualities exist, but they are rare and precious.Only a fool hopes for such riches.

3. METAL is SCARCEMost arms and armor are made ofbone, stone, wood,and other such materials. Mail or plate armor existsonly in the treasuries of the sorcerer-kings. Steelblades are almost priceless, weapons that manyheroes never see during their lifetimes.

4. ARCANE MAGICDEFiLES THE WORLDThe reckless use of arcane magic during ancient warsreduced Athas to a wasteland. To cast an arcane spell,one must gather power from the living world nearby.Plants wither to black ash, crippling pain wracksanimals and people, and the soil is sterilized; nothingcan grow in that spot again. It is possible to cast spellswith care, preserving the world and avoiding anymore damage to it, but defiling offers more powerthan preserving. As a result, sorcerers, wizards,and other wielders of arcane magic are reviled andpersecuted across Athas regardless ofwhether theypreserve or defile. Only the most powerful spellcasters can wield arcane might without fear of reprisal.

5. SORCERER-KINGSRULE THE CiTY-STATESTerrible defilers of immense power rule all but oneofthe city-states. These mighty spelicasters have heldtheir thrones for centuries; no one alive remembers

INTRODUCTION

a time before the sorcerer-kings. Some claim to begods, and some claim to serve gods. Some are brutaloppressors, where others are more subtle in their tyranny. The sorcerer-kings govern through priesthoodsor bureaucracies ofgreedy, ambitious templars, lesserdefilers who can call upon the kings’ powers. Only inthe city-state ofTyr does a glimmer of freedom beckon,and powerful forces already conspire to extinguish it.

6. THE GODS ARE SILENTLong ago, when the planet was green, the brutalmight of the primordials overcame the gods. Today,Athas is a world without deities. There are no clerics,no paladins, and no prophets or religious orders. Oldshrines and crumbling temples lie amid the ancientruins, testimony to a time when the gods spoke to thepeople ofAthas. Nothing is heard now but the sighingof the desert wind.

In the absence ofdivine influence, other powershave come to prominence in the world. Psionic poweris well known and widely practiced on Athas; evenunintelligent desert monsters can have deadly psionicabilities. Shamans and druids call upon the primalpowers of the world, which are often sculpted by theinfluence of elemental power.

ABOUT T1-{’E DARI( SUNCAMPAIGN SETTiNG

The original IDARK SUN campaign setting, by Troy Denningand Tim Brown, was published by TSR, Inc., in 1991 forthe 2nd Edition IDUNGEONS & DRAGONS” game. Strikinglyillustrated by renowned fantasy artist Gerald Brom, DARK

SUN offered a compelling new vision for the DUNGEONS

& DRAGONS game, one that broke free of the traditionalmedieval trappings of fantasy roleplaying. Troy Den-fling went on to write a five part novel series, the PrismPentad, telling the story of the revolution in Tyr and thedownfall of the sorcerer-kings. More than thirty gamesupplements, adventures, and boxed sets supported thesetting, along with novels, short stories, and articles inDragon’ magazine.

This new version of the DARK SUN campaign setting returns to the days immediately after King Kalak’soverthrow, when freedom glimmers weakly in a singlecity-state and ancient evils begin to stir once again.

You can still find 2nd Edition DARK SUN game productsonline or in used bookstores, but this new edition of thesetting is a reimagining of the campaign world as its storybegins. People, places, and events described in olderproducts might be different (or absent) in this edition.Likewise, this edition of DARK SUN introduces many elements of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS 4th Edition—for example,new character races and classes—that were not part of the2nd Edition setting.

7. FIERCE MONSTERS

ROAM THE WORLD -

The desert planet has its own deadly ecology. Athashas no cattle, swine, or horses; instead, people tendflocks of erdlus, ride on kanks or crodlus, and drawwagons with mixes and mekillots. Wild creatures suchas lions, bears, and wolves are nonexistent. In theirplace are terrors such as the id fiend, the baazrag, andthe tembo. Perhaps the harsh environment ofAthasbreeds creatures tough and vicious enough to surviveit, or maybe the touch ofancient sorcery poisoned thewellsprings of life and inflicted monster after monsteron the dying world. Either way, the deserts are perilous, and only a fool or a lunatic travels them alone.

8. FAMILiAR RACES AREN’T

WHAT You EXPECTTypical fantasy stereotypes don’t apply to Athasianheroes. In many DUNGEONS & DRAGONS settings,elves are wise, benevolent forest dwellers who guardtheir homelands from intrusions of evil. On Athas,elves are a nomadic race of herders, raiders, peddlers,and thieves. Halflings aren’t amiable riverfolk;they’re xenophobic headhunters and cannibals whohunt and kill trespassers in their mountain forests.Goliaths or half-giants, as they are commonlyknown are brutal mercenaries who serve as eliteguards and enforcers for the sorcerer kings and theirtemplars in many city-states.

How TO USE THIS BOOKFor the Dungeon Master: To run a DUNGEONS

& DRAGONS game in the world of DARK SUN, you’llneed the Player’s Handbook ,Dungeon Master’s Guideand Monster Manual . The DARK SUN Campaign Settingprovides details on creating characters suitable forthe deadly sands ofAthas and introduces you to thissavage and splendid world. Chapter 6 of this bookaddresses the Dungeon Master and provides specifictools for running a DARK SUN game. The companionbook, the DARK SUN Creature Catalo8”, contains monsters, monster themes, hazards, and statistics for thesorcerer-kings.

For players: The DARK SUN setting isn’t a placefor the typical dwarf cleric, halfling rogue, or eladrinwizard. In this setting, the dwarf cleric might be adesert shaman or an empathic ardent. The haiflingis likely a feral, stealthy killer, and the human wizardprobably disguises her speilcasting to avoid beingmurdered by a mob the first time she reveals herarcane powers. This book expands the character-building options in the Player’s Handbook (as well as inPlayer’s Handbook 2 and Player’s Handbook 3), helpingyou create Athasian builds, combinations, themes,and “feel” for your characters.

A savage world waits to challenge you. Can yousurvive the fury of the crimson sun?

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INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

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“Athas is an endless wasteland, yet it has a majestic andstark beauty. Whenfirst light casts its emerald hues overthe Sea ofSilt, or when sunset spreads its orangeflameover the Mekillot Mountains, the world’sferal beauty stirsthe untamed heart in each ofus. It is a call to take up spearand dagger, toflee the cities, to go and see what lurks out inthe barrenness.”

The Wanderer’s Journal

Sand, rock, sun, burning heat these are the onlyproperties that Athas possesses in abundance. Everyliving creature in the world works constantly toobtain food and safeguard water. Hunters mightgo days without finding suitable prey, and herdersmust drive their flocks from place to place to findgood grazing. Water is scarce in the known regionsofAthas, and those who control life-giving wells orsprings jealously guard access to such riches.

City dwellers enjoy more security than do nomadsor villagers living in the deserts, but it takes legionsofworkers most of them slaves toiling in the fieldsto support a city’s population. Great and terriblesorcerer-kings rule the city-states, each a long-livedtyrant who crushes dissent. Rapacious nobles, corrupttemplars, ruthless merchants, and legions ofbrutalsoldiers profit from or support the sorcerer-kings’reigns, while the common folk groan under unjustlaws and harsh taxation. Slaves survive only as long asthey can earn one more day’s worth of food and waterwith their backbreaking toil. For most people, life isa choice between struggling to survive in the wastedwilderness or trading freedom for the relative safetyof the oppressive city-states.

This is Athas, a world of cruelty and tyranny.Yet it is also a place of savage beauty and barbaricsplendor a world ofheroes.

This chapter begins to explore the ways ofAthasand its heroes. It includes the following sections:

4 Heroes ofAthas: A discussion of the bold orfierce heroes who roam this pitiless world.

4 Athasian Civilization: An overview of culture,politics, and trade on Athas.

4 Secrets of Power: A look at history, magic, andother matters known only to the learned.

IC

CHAPTER 1 The World of Athas

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HEROES OF ATHAS“Better to die with a spear inyour hands than to live withshackles aroundyour wrists.”

— Elven adage

In any world, heroes are those who have the powerto make a difference, the opportunity to act, and themotivation to challenge evil. Athas is no different.Fearless desert wanderers seek their fortunes in thedecadent city-states, trusting to their quick wits andquicker reflexes. Wily dune traders and proud noblesventure into monster-haunted ruins to plunder thetreasures of the ancient world. Clever wizards studyforbidden arts, hoping to master the magic needed tosurvive, and ambitious templars scheme for power.

When you begin your journey beneath the crimson sun, you might be a mul fighter whose flashingsword wins her fame and fortune as a gladiator inthe arena; an elf rogue whose crooked dealings inthe Elven Market allow him to spy for the VeiledAlliance; a thri-kreen ranger from the WesternHinterlands, fascinated by the debauched ways of thecity dwellers; or a human warlord who battles againstslavers and fights to survive in the desert wastes.These heroes represent only a handful of the storiesyou can tell with the races, classes, themes, and backgrounds of the DARK SUN campaign setting.

Regardless ofyour race and class, you face thesame basic questions as do all heroes ofAthas. Doyou fight to survive the world, to plunder it, or tobetter it? In a place ofbrutal oppression and cruelsavagery, what makes you a hero?

HEROIC THEMESWhether prowess is measured by sheer physicalprowess, by mastery of the mind, or by command ofthe arcane arts, many inhabitants ofAthas have thepotential to be heroes. Mercenaries, assassins, desertraiders, escaped slaves, seraglio spies, seers, hermits,and more the call to adventure draws Athasiansto meet their destinies in the deserts or cities of theworld. Very few altruists live beneath the crimsonsun, however, so what motivates you to make yourstand? Are you a calculating sellsword who fightsonly in exchange for a suitable reward? Are youdriven by a thirst for vengeance or the search for aloved one taken by slavers? Do you seek to make aname for yourself as the most fearsome warrior in thewastes, or to revel in gathering loot? Or are you thatrarest (and perhaps most naïve) of creatures, a herowho fights to make the world a better place?

Heroes need both the freedom to act and thedesire to make a difference in the world. Although amyriad of motivational possibilities exist, the following ten heroic themes provide a good starting place.(For more on these heroic themes, see Chapter 3.)

Athasian Minstrel: Each noble house is surrounded by an entourage of entertainers andcompanions for hire. Athasian minstrels might bedancers, poets, musicians, artists, or tutors retainedby the wealthy and powerful, or they might beperformers from roving troupes hired for specialoccasions. Minstrels also double as spies, assassins,and agents, concealing daggers beneath fluttering silkor honeyed words.

CHARACTER CREAT1~*1 ‘~

Creatingo DARK SUN character is a lot like creating a character foi any other DUNGEONS & IDRAGONS game. Below arethe steps ~given on page 14 of the Players Handbookdetailing the additional elements that pertain to a IDARI~

SUN game The Dungeon Master has some decisions tomake about optional rules as well e’~

1 Ehoose Race In a~dd~tion to your usual choices~see~hapter 2 for two ~ew races and discussions of~ ãltered~roles4for existing raZes

~2 Ch9ose Class Chapter 4~presents rul~s on ~1efilingand preserving for all arcar~e characters k~bks at p~ioni~

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wilditalents, and o~ers ne~w.ibui!doptipns~foØebattle.mind fighter shaman and warloçk If yo&re thinkingahead to your character’s~ft,~tu~e~you might consider aracial paragon path (Chapterr2) or themed paragon path(Chapter 3) Chapter 4 preseicts five new epic destiniesas well. DM: DetermIne if you Want to allow the optionalruleforwildtalents.

2a. Choose Theme. Every character can choose a DARK

SUN-flavored theme to complement his or her class. See“Heroic Themes” below and Chapter 3 for more.

3. Determine Ability Scores. As usual.4. Choose Skills. As usual. Thisis also a good time to

take a look at backgrounds (see the racial backgroundsin Chapter 2 and the regional backgrounds in Chapter 5),since they can influence your trained skill selection.

5. Select Feats. See Chapter 4 for additional options,many related to the new class builds and themes.

6. Choose Powers. The new build options (Chapter 4)include powers for the battlemind, fighter, shaman, andwarlock. In addition, your theme (Chapter 3) gives youaccess to powers you can choose in place of class powers.

7. Choose Equipment. Chapter 4 describes newweapons, equipment, mounts, vehicles, and magic itemscommon on Athas. DM: Determine if you wish to use thefixed enhancement bonus system (see Chapter 6) and letthe players know, since that will impact their equipmentchoices. Chapter 4 also offers optional rules for weaponbreakage and heavy armor.

8. Fill in the Numbers. As usual.9. Roleplaying Character Details. As usual. Between

your character’s theme and backgrounds, you probablyhave a pretty good idea of who your character is already.


Dune Trader: Dune traders frequent the city-states and the wild lands, following the ancientcaravan routes. The great merchant houses ofAthasprovide opportunities for ambitious and capablepeople to make their fortunes. Serving as a mercenary, advisor, or agent to a merchant house mightprovide a character with the ability to travel on hispatron’s behalf and live in comfort.

Elemental Priest: In the absence of gods anddivine magic, many people of the deserts turn toprimal magic. Elemental priests are no friends to thesorcerer-kings or templars, but the residents of ruralvillages and nomadic tribes hold the priests in highregard. Some are shamans armed with potent healing abilities, some are secret assassins, and others arefierce warriors who fortify themselves with the spiritsof the world’s primal elements.

Gladiator: Life on Athas is cheap, and the greatcity states are renowned for their bloodstainedarenas. Gladiators are warriors who fight for gold,glory, or survival in the arena. Many are slaves,trained from childhood to fight for the entertainmentof the masses. A prized gladiator often receives bettertreatment than the typical arena fodder and mightenjoy considerable freedom despite his or her slavestatus. Some gladiators are free beings who choose tofight, lured by the rich prizes and promise ofglory.

Noble Adept: Naturally, people ofwealth andhigh station have more choices in life than others,and noble adepts have access to the finest tutors inswordplay and psionics. What they lack in practicalexperience in the deserts or arenas, they make up forwith years of leisure to master the martial, psionic, ormagical arts. Free to follow the dictates of conscienceor indulge their wanderlust, noble adepts choosetheir own fates a rare luxury on Athas.

Primal Guardian: Although elemental priestswield the powers of the desert sun, sand, fire, andwind a few primal devotees cling to the powers oflife that remain on Athas. These primal guardianswield the strength of forest and oasis against thosewho would bring further ruin to the dying world.Like devotees of the elements, primal guardiansoppose the sorcerer-kings and the minions of thesetyrants, and they command the fear and respect ofthe desert peoples.

Templar: Templars practice arcane magic. Asagents of the sorcerer kings, they maintain order inthe city-states. Many templars use their positions toruthlessly oppress the common people, and they havetheir sorcerer king’s sanction to use defiling magic atwill. However, a few are a cut above their fellows. Theymight be patriots loyal to their city above their king,reformers who seek to correct oppressive practices,or secret revolutionaries who desire to put an end tothe tyranny ofthe despots. In some cities, templarsserve as “priests” to sorcerer-kings who claim godhood,even though Athas has no real gods. Divine magic isunknown, remembered only in tales of ancient days.

Veiled Alliance: Although many Athasian heroesexcel at physical combat or the mental arts, magic isa rare talent. Arcane player characters often belongto the Veiled Alliance. On Athas, arcane magic isperilous in the extreme. Used carelessly, it defilesthe surroundings, destroying life and leaving barrenzones where nothing can grow again. As a result,those who study the arcane arts are feared and persecuted. The Veiled Alliance protects arcanists whochoose the way of the preserver, learning to castspells with the care and sacrifice needed to spare thesurroundings from the damage of arcane magic.

Wasteland Nomad: Gladiators aren’t the onlywarriors on Athas. The people of the desert areperhaps the freest inhabitants ofAthas; the world istheirs to wander as they will, as long as they have thestrength and luck to avoid monsters, bandits, and slavers. Wasteland nomads might be hunters, scouts, orwild raiders with no formal training, but the Athasianwasteland is a harsh teacher. Wanderers don’t lastlong without some skill with spear or sword.

Wilder: Psionic power is widespread on Athas,and many privileged nobles and commoners of exceptional ability receive formal training in the Way (theAthasian term for the study ofpsionic disciplines).Wilders are those who lack formal instruction inpsionics and master their powers on their own. Mostcome from the poorer classes in the city-states, theoutlying villages, or the tribes of the desert. It’s notunusual for a skilled fighter or an agile rogue to havea potent, self taught psionic power with which shecan surprise careless enemies.

DIVINE CHARACTERSThe gods who once influenced Athas are long dead andnearly forgotten by the people of the world Therefore,heroes who draw on divine power are rare indeed. Youwon’t find temples or priests of your god. You’ll probablynever meet another person who believes in any god. Still,if you really want to play a divine character, you and yourDungeon Master might be able to make it work. Hereare some suggestions for how your character might knowabout divine magic and gain access to divine powers.+ You have come to own a relic from an ancient age

that grants you odd powers. You’re unsure of itsorigin or what the strange symbol emblazoned onthe relic’s surface represents.

+ You are a descendant of a long-forgotten demigodwhose lineage has survived across the centuries. Youdraw divine power from your holy blood, disguising itas psionic or primal magic to keep your secret safe.

+ Wandering in the wastes, lost and dehydrated, youcollapsed and heard a voice that promised to saveyou in exchange for your devotion. You awoke in atribal camp, parched and burned but alive. You can’tbe sure exactly what saved your life, but you do yourbest to hold to the bargain you made.


ADVENTURES ON ATHASAthas is a world ripe with possibilities for adventure.

Countless ruins litter the deserts and badlands,each mute testimony to a different world that is lost inthe past. Abandoned cities lie halfburied in sand orbrood beneath barren, rocky hills. Crumbling castlesperch atop windswept heights or guard old passes thatnow lead nowhere. Magnificent palaces and ominoustowers dot the wastelands, each the former retreat ofa great noble or mighty archmage whose name andrealm are long forgotten. Farmhouses and villages lie

/ in the middle ofstony wastes with nothing more than

a few bits ofmasonry or a lonely fragment of a wall tomark the spot where people once lived. Many ruinshave been cleaned out over the centuries, but othersconceal hoards of ancient treasure or valuable debrissuch as tools and weapons ofmetal. In addition, it’snot uncommon for extensive caves and vaults to runbeneath the sandy streets of ruined cities and towns.

Since ruins offer shelter from the sun and might‘ have old wells or cisterns that still reach water, they

are highly desirable lairs for desert raiders and dangerous monsters. However, ruins that lack waterand shelter aren’t necessarily safe. Many such placesare haunted by undead, the hateful spirits of their

long-vanished people. Zombies, ghouls, specters, andworse might be found in the wreckage.

If the idea of risking life and limb in monster-infested ruins doesn’t appeal to a hero, Athas holdsplenty of other perils. Simply surviving in the harshwilderness poses its own challenges. The Tyr Region

the part of the world that includes all of civilizedJ Athas—is plagued by brutal raiders, greedy slavers,

bloodthirsty savages, and roaming packs ofgnollsand thri-kreen that won’t hesitate to eat anyone theycome across. A hero might take up arms against thesepredatory bands to protect a location or its people.Of course, most Athasian heroes are pragmatic andwant to be paid for their efforts. A mercenary mightbe hired to protect a caravan passing through theterritory of dangerous bandits or commissioned by amerchant house to find and punish a band of raiderswho plundered a house outpost. Heroes who don’tcare to serve as someone else’s muscle can try toestablish their own venture by taking on a route or atrade that others consider too dangerous.

The city states ofAthas are little safer than the ruinsor the countryside. Each groans under the oppressiverule of a despotic sorcerer king and his or her templars. Nobles jockey for influence, scheme against theirrivals, and amass treasures. Merchant houses engagein silent trade wars in the markets and alleyways, conflicts that can include poisonings and assassinations. Ahero might battle for fame and fortune in an arena (ortry to survive being sentenced to fight), serve as a hiredblade in a noble intrigue or a merchant feud, or breakinto a templar treasury. A character could exploreforgotten undercities where the sorcerer kings buried


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secrets centuries ago or seek a higher station by takingon missions useful to the tyrants. Whether a heroserves his or her own ambitions or hopes to one daystrike a blow for freedom is up to you.

ADVERSARiESHeroes are measured by the foes they confront. Thelands ofAthas are overrun with desert predators,vicious tribes, inimical rulers, and people devoted toserving the causes of oppression and tyranny.

RAiDERS AND SAVAGESIn most of the world, civilization hangs by a thread.The city-states are reasonably secure, but within oneor two days’ travel lies a wilderness stalked by hungrymonsters and threatened by vicious raiders and sayages. Marauding giants plunder the shores of the Seaof Silt. Hordes ofgith, gnolls, tareks, and thri kreenroam the barrens, searching for villages or outpoststo assault. Monstrous humanoids aren’t the only raiders to threaten the desert people; many of the worstaggressors are motley assortments ofhumanoidsunited only by their desire for easy prey. The battle todefend civilization’s borders against the reavers of thewastelands never ends, and with each passing year,civilization loses a little more ground.

OPPRESSORSEach sorcerer-king is an evil tyrant who wields awesomely powerful defiling magic. Scores, sometimeshundreds, of templars serve each ruler. Most templarsare ambitious, corrupt, and cruel. They exact brutaltaxation from the city folk, ferret out forbidden practices such as reading or studying arcane magic, andstamp out sparks of rebellion.

Battling a sorcerer king’s regime means fightingsoldiers, elite guards, monsters, and the occasionalspy or informant, all under the command of ruthlesstemplars out to prove their loyalty to their master.Within a city-state’s walls, heroes who openly challenge the king’s templars will be overwhelmed; tosurvive, characters who strike down a templar mustvanish into the populace quickly.

Only the greatest heroes could face a sorcerer-kingin person and hope to triumph. Even then, they wouldhave to contend with hundreds of elite bodyguards,cadres of fanatically loyal templars, and centuries’worth of carefully prepared defenses. Sorcerer-kingsgive little thought to guarding themselves against disloyal subjects, trusting their templars to enforce civicorder, but they fear their fellow monarchs and protectthemselves accordingly. Any defense that can foil theattacks of another sorcerer-king can block those fromlesser mortals as well.

ANCIENT HORRORSThe distant corners ofAthas harbor many darksecrets, including inhuman monsters worse than anymurderous raider or cruel templar. Shadow giants

and yuan-ti lurk in old palaces or strongholds farfrom the city-states, weaving dark spells that threatenanyone nearby. In caverns beneath the desert sands, —

the wormlike psurlons use their mind powers todominate humans and kindred races.

In the absence ofgods, Athas has become a place ~,,

where elemental powers hold sway. The world is just ~as hostile to elementals as it is to the mortal races, butcreatures such as archons, salamanders, and drakes ~haunt the vast deserts ringing the Tyr Region. Twisted Zbeasts suffused with the elemental power of thedesert roam unchecked, working their capricious willon the shape of the world.

DESPERATE CAUSESAthas is a callous world in which many would beheroes are motivated by self interest and personalambition. However, a few of the best rise above suchattitudes and come to champion great causes.

First and foremost is the Veiled Alliance. In citiesand villages throughout Athas, a secret society ofarcane speilcasters (and a few others who share theirinterests) practices the forbidden arts. The Veiled Alliance rejects defiling, and all arcanists in the groupare preservers. They avoid the quick and easy route topower, learning to cast spells with care and personalsacrifice to spare the world around them from thedamage of arcane magic. The Veiled Alliance opposesdefilers everywhere, in particular the sorcerer kingsand their templars. Alliance members work againstthe oppression of the regimes and safeguard knowledge that the tyrants’ agents try to eliminate or buryin templars’ vaults.

Another cause to which heroes might rally is thatof supporting a benevolent patron or an ethical merchant house. This objective might lack the grandeurof fighting sorcery and oppression, but it remains aworthy goal. Some of the powerful entities on Athasare more benign than others, and heroes might helpan idealistic noble reform a city’s power structure orassist a trading house against its unscrupulous rivals.

The end of slavery is another cause worth thebattle. More than a few heroes join the struggleagainst slavers when someone dear to them is kidnapped or pressed into service or, for that matter,when the heroes themselves are enslaved. In the citystates, slave traders are protected by their wealth andthe patronage of the sorcerer kings, but slave tribesand vengeful freelancers strike at slaver outposts andcaravans in the desert wilds.

Last but not least, heroes can strive to understandthe injuries done to Athas and heal the dying world.Over many centuries, the true history ofAthas hasbeen buried by the tyrants and their allies. One couldhardly find a more noble cause than piecing togetherthe long lost truth and searching for a way to slow orstop the desiccation of the world.


~j i~j~

ATHAS1AN CiViLiZATiONDevelopment and progress in the known lands ofAthas rely heavily on the presence ofwater and food.Most oases can support no more than a few hundredpermanent residents, but in a handful ofverdantareas or very large oases, bigger settlements cangrow. Such is the case with the Seven Cities that stillstand (the great city-states ofTyr, Balic, Draj, Guig,Nibenay, Raam, and Urik), as well as others that havefallen into ruin. Reliable water supplies and widetracts of arable land provide (or once provided) for alarge population. Without water, life is a hardscrabbleexistence that requires moving from location to location in search of limited resources. Barbarity is alltoo common in the wastes; a stranger is likely to bean enemy willing to take what he or she needs atweapon’s edge.

SOCIAL ORDERWithinthe walls of a city-state, every person has aspecific place in the social order. Sorcerer-kings rule,supported by nobles and templars—the priests andwarriors of the monarchs. Merchants and craftsfolk,as well as warriors in their employ, enjoy positionsslightly higher than those ofbeggars, farmers, herders, and laborers. Slaves toil in the lowest level ofsociety, giving their lives in forced labor, gladiatorialspectacles, or outright sacrifice.

On the other hand, those who dwell in villages ornomadic tribes in the wilderness value freedom andcompetence, and they believe, perhaps rightly, thatcity residents lack both. (Of course, the most independent tribes still have leaders and members withmore wealth or status than others.) Liberty comes at ahigh price, however, since the wastelands ofAthas aretreacherous even for the well prepared.

SORCERER-KiNGSThe sorcerer-kings at the center ofurban life aresovereigns who rose to power long ago throughunchecked arcane might. In all remaining city-statesexcept Tyr, the monarch has ruled for generations;each sorcerer-king is a formidable defiler andemploys magic to prolong his or her life to nearimmortality. In some cities—most notably Draj andGuIg the people view the sorcerer-king as a divinebeing. Worship of and obedience to the ruler is usually mandatory, with templars tasked to enforce thisstate religion.

Within his or her city, each sorcerer king hasabsolute authority. Most reside in fortified palacesteeming with minor officials and intimidatingsentries, and they rarely emerge without grand entourages and marching files ofwatchful guards. In theface of the king’s power, common citizens can ask for

‘ ~CHAPTER 1 The World of Athas

4,

nothing more than to be defended, fed, and sheltered.The sorcerer-kings fiercely protect the secrets ofarcane magic and brook no rival mages in their cities.

TEMPLARSDirectly under the authority of the sorcerer king arethe templars: priests, officials, and disciples loyal totheir ruler. Although a sorcerer-king can be expectedto defend and nurture his or her city, the templarsmanage its day-to-day necessities, from law enforcement to religious services. Some templars wieldmagical power granted to them by their monarch,but even if they lack such might, all templars enforcethe will of the sorcerer-king. They can punish lawbreakers, dismiss complaints against favored citizens,detain and abuse those they wish to harass, and seizematerials for the good of the state. They are hated andfeared by commoners, and in any given city-state, thetemplar organization is rife with corruption and perfidy. The sorcerer king seldom intervenes in templars’affairs, no matter how crooked they might be.

NOBLESThe aristocrats ofAthasian society usually controlfarmland and water through hereditary titles thatthe sorcerer-king granted to their ancestors long ago.They are expected to maintain their holdings andto have private military forces ready to maintainorder and repel invasion when necessary. Most noblehouses keep large stables of slaves as laborers, soldiers, and gladiators. Competition among the nobles,as well as between nobles and templars, is fierce.

In some cities, the heads of the noble houses forma council that advises the sorcerer king. At any time,the monarch can call upon the resources, living andotherwise, at a noble’s disposal.

MERCHANTSAthasian merchants as a group include merchantdynasties, tribal merchants, and independent merchants (or free citizens, discussed below).

Merchant dynasties (or houses, as they’re oftencalled) are a class of free folk who maintain emporiums, resource-gathering outposts, and trade routesin the city-states and across the hostile wastes. Theyare citizens of no city and exist outside the normalpower structure, although their wealth and influencerivals that of the most prominent nobles. Each merchant house is a family or an alliance of dealers withits own small army ofguards and slaves that keepsgoods flowing from one region to another. Intrepiddune traders and larger caravans carry merchandisefrom place to place. Merchant dynasties operate largeemporiums in various city-states and pay taxes to the

12

sorcerer-kings in return for this privilege. Even themost rapacious templars avoid harassing members ofmerchant houses without good cause. Doing so wouldrisk not only the templars’ personal buying power butalso the welfare of the city state.

Tribal merchants operate in a commercial mannersimilar to that of a merchant house. Many elven tribesare merchants of this type. Some forge alliances withmerchant houses, whereas others compete with thegreat dynasties. Unlike merchant houses, mercantiletribes rarely establish headquarters and outposts.Instead, they travel as an eternal caravan, gatheringand selling wares all over the region.

The bazaars of merchant tribes—especially thoserun by elves—are good sources of illegal or exoticitems and experiences. Such marketplaces are alsoreputed to be shady in other ways, selling shoddyproducts, running confidence schemes, and committing outright robbery. Merchant tribesfolk try to avoidengaging in too much behavior that might invite thescrutiny of the templars. When a settlement becomestoo unfriendly to a particular tribe, the tribe moveson and avoids that place for a few years.

SLAVESSlaves make up a large portion of the urban population. Some are born into slavery, and others aretribal folk or villagers from distant lands who wereseized by slavers and sold into captivity. Templars andnobles also have the power to condemn debtors andcriminals to slavery (although dangerous people areexecuted if enslaving them is considered too risky).

Wealthy Athasians keep slaves as a show ofprosperity as well as a source of cheap labor. Mostslaveholders have few moral qualms about the practice, arguing that it is better to enslave others than toallow them to starve in freedom. A slave’s treatmentdepends on his usefulness and the affluence ofhisowner. Reliable and loyal slaves are likely to receivebetter treatment. Prosperous owners often see theirslaves as disposable, whereas poorer owners takebetter care of their slaves to look after their investment. High-minded folk sometimes crusade to endslavery or at least guarantee standards of decenttreatment, but callous brutality toward slaves is commonplace. In many areas ofAthas, a slave’s life isregarded as belonging to the owner, who can disposeof it as desired.

Each slave is afforded a place according to his orher talents. Most are farmers, laborers, or servants.Those with fighting skills end up as soldiers or gladiators. (The best soldier slaves are trained as suchfrom birth.) A few slaves have talents that earn themspots as artists or entertainers in a household. Skilledslaves can enjoy comfortable lives, but they arealways at risk of falling out of favor. Few slaves earnlasting freedom.

FREE CITizENsCity dwellers who aren’t templars, nobles, affiliatedmerchants, or slaves are citizens. Independent merchants and artisans make up the bulk of this class.Mercenaries, minstrels, monks, priests, masters ofthe psionic arts, and adventurers or others who wieldextraordinary powers make up the rest.

These people are free, but only until a capricioustemplar or noble judges them guilty of a crime. Whenthat happens, a free citizen becomes a slave. However,this fate usually befalls only the powerless citizens.Those who can defend themselves are rarely harassedby templars, who do not wish to risk losing severalsoldiers just to acquire one slave.

VILLAGERSIn the unforgiving desert, villages exist only in localesthat have valuable resources, important trade crossroads, or defensible positions. A mining settlement,a raiding tribe’s base, and a merchant trading postall are considered villages. Independent villages,especially those built by escaped slaves or membersof a particular race, are chaotic, colorful places. Theyhave strong or charismatic leaders and allow practices that are frowned upon in city-states (such as theuse ofprimal magic). Of course, given the dangers ofthe wilderness, any village can disappear or becomeabandoned overnight.

Some villages are client settlements maintainedby city-states, merchant houses, or nobles to provideresources such as minerals or food. Client villagesvary in the level ofgovernance (and thereby theoppression and corruption) imposed by the founders.These places are more orderly than independent villages; each has a capable governor, a standing fightingforce, and spelicasters or psions who act as guards.

NOMADSAny people who live a mobile existence can be considered nomads. They survive by moving to whereverthe resources are. Some nomadic tribes or bands areracially diverse, and others are racially homogenous.A few tribes enjoy the sponsorship of (and provideservices to) a patron, such as a city-state, but most survive independently by herding, hunting, or raiding. Asingle tribe might resort to all these methods.

Survival on the move isn’t easy. Some tribes,especially those made up of raiders, aren’t shy abouttaking what they need from established locals andstrangers. Slave tribes raid outlying city state holdingsand caravans in a guerrilla war against their formeroppressors, and bandits prey on whomever they perceive to be weak. Most other tribes those that consistofherders, hunters, merchants, or scavengers—aremore likely to trade than to steal.

.


Like independent villages, nomadic tribes usuallyhave strong leaders who boast military or magicalskill. Unless tradition forbids the use of magic, mostnomads tolerate it, along with other practices thatwould get one killed within the borders of a city-state,such as defying authority.

HERMiTSOutcast by choice or by decree, a hermit lives alonein the wastes. Such a person usually settles in oneplace and survives on what the land offers. His orher residence is hidden, as is any source ofwater.

AT1-IASIAN COINAGECeramic coins marked in various denominations are themost common form of money in civilized areas of Athas.Each city state strikes its own coins, sculpting, glazing,firing, and treating them in specific ways to discourageforgery. The typical ceramic coin—or bit, as it’s sometimescalled—weighs approximately one-sixth of an ounce andis equivalent in value to a metal coin type: copper bit,silver bit, or gold bit (For convenience, this book uses thestandard DUNGEONS & DRAGONS abbreviations of cp forcopper piece, sp for silver piece, and gp for gold piece; justremember that these denominations refer to ceramic, notmetal, coins.) Ceramic coins equivalent to platinum piecesare simply gold bits marked with a higher value, and noone issues ceramic coins equivalent to astral diamonds.Talented criminals can make good profits counterfeitingceramic coins, but if they are caught, the penalties aresevere and usually affect the counterfeiter’s entire family.

Sorcerer-kings back their cities’ ceramic coins withroyal wealth and carefully regulate the currency as ameans of controlling the population. In merchant emporiums, travelers can exchange the coins of one city-statefor those of another for a fee of 5 percent. In practice,few people bother swapping their currency, since mostmerchants accept coins of any city (though the templarsmight start cracking down on that custom).

Metal coins exist on Athas, having been found inancient treasure troves and circulated now and then. Veryold coins attract unwanted attention unless the ownerpays “taxes” to the right templars and nobles. In addition,merchant houses and minters who serve the sorcerer-kings strike small amounts of metal coins, which havethe normal value. Real coinage is a necessary guaranteeagainst the possibility of a monarch abruptly devaluingthe ceramic currency or banning the coins of an enemycity. Real coins are also useful for dune traders who dealwith villagers or tribes in the wastes, where ceramic coinsare just pretty clay chips Merchant houses prize metalcoinage and exchange local ceramic currency for it at fullvalue, but city officials watch these transactions closely.Only merchant houses, nobles, or travelers who deal withsuch individuals can trade large amounts of ceramic coinsfor metal equivalents (or vice versa) without arousingsuspicion.


Some hermits avoid contact with passing travelers,but others welcome visitors who seem harmless orpotentially helpful. Many hermits have forgotten thesocial graces and come off as endearingly strange, butsome are deranged or downright treacherous. A fewhave real insight or power, and among these are thehermits who have useful secrets to share—ifofferedsufficient compensation.

MATTERS OF LEARNiNGIn the urban societies ofAthas, knowledge—especially information about arcane magic—is tightlycontrolled. Those who rule know that truth andenlightenment make the governed less likely toaccept the status quo. People who gain abilities thatallow them to challenge or escape authority becomethreats to the stability of the system.

LITERACYIn most city states, the templars restrict reading andwriting. Common citizens and slaves can be executedfor being literate. Merchants can be educated enoughto keep accounts, although most are fully literate andseldom face repercussions. Nobles, templars, andother servants of the sorcerer-kings are allowed theprivilege of reading and writing without fear. Somenobles teach these skills to their most valuable retainers and slaves as well.

Outside the oppressive city-states, literacy is notconstrained. Although few denizens ofthe wastesbother to learn to read and write, the ability is morecommon in the wilds than in urban areas. The skillbecomes a problem only if one is caught and sold intoslavery. Then, literacy is best kept secret.

Athasian player characters are assumed to be literate in the languages they speak unless they choosenot to be; a character’s theme or background mightexplain how he or she learned to read and write.Literate characters who were not born into nobilityprobably should not reveal their skill to the templars.

LANGUAGESAthasian civilization is old, and the Common language is nearly universal. It came into being in ancienttimes before the peoples of the world divided intodifferent races. Almost every natural creature capableof speech can speak at least a little Common. Thetable below shows languages known to exist on Athas.

Deep Speech once served as a shared tongueamong Underdark races. Many of these races are nomore, but the gith the degenerate descendants ofservants to the now-vanished illithid race still speakthat language.

Draconic is an artificial tongue devised to serveas the language of arcane magic. The creator of thedragonborn race gave it to his children as their own.

Dwarven has its roots in Primordial, leading someto speculate that the dwarves came to Athas fromthe Elemental Chaos long ago. The history of thedwarven people has been lost. No one alive on Athascan read the Davek script, and dwarves are illiteratein their own native language. The hejkins speak adebased form of Dwarven.

Elven developed in the Lands Within the Wind(see “Cosmology,” page 17) as a form of Common, andit survives today among the elven tribes. The elvesfind it useful to have a language they can use to communicate with one another without being understoodby strangers and travelers.

The Thri-Kreen language, unique to the mantis-folk, includes rasps, buzzes, and clicks that membersof other races find difficult to duplicate. Most thrikreen in the Tyr Region do not read or write; theChachik script is an art preserved only in the thrikreen homelands in the far west.

Language Spoken by Script~yssal Demons, gnolls~iommon Humans, halflings,

most speaking creatures

Gith, anakores, psurlonsWizards, dragonbornDwarves, hejkins, mulsElves, eladrin, other feyGoliaths, minotaurs,giants, tareks

THE MARCH OF TiMEThe sorcerer-kings make sure that hardly anyoneknows the true age ofAthas. Regardless, most Athasians are too concerned with day-to-day living andsurvival to wonder about what happened in the past.People suppose that things are more or less as theyhave always been.

Years on Athas are named, not numbered, andrecorded by the Calendar of Kings. By this calendar,the current year is the Year of Priest’s Defiance,in the 19 0th King’s Age. Last year was the Year ofDesert’s Slumber, and next year will be the Year ofWind’s Reverence. Every 11 years an eclipse occurs,and every 45 years the Messenger—a comet that turnsnight to day blazes through the sky. Most Athasiansfind this complicated calendar less than useful; theyrely on the templars to tell them about importantevents related to the passage ofyears.

Months and seasons are commonly counted ina simple calendar known as the Merchant’s Year,which is based on the subtle motions of the sun andthe weather that comes to the Tyr Region. This 375day year has three “seasons,” each with four 30-daymonths and one five-day festival week in the middle.

High SunSorrowSmolderFestival of the Highest Sun (start of the year)ScorchMorrow

Sun DescendingRestGatherFestival of the Cooling SunBreezeMist(Lowsun, the midpoint of the year)

Sun AscendingBloomHazeFestival of the Soaring SunHoardWind

During the three festival weeks, celebrations andgatherings differ from locale to locale and rangefrom pleasant fairs to grim sacrifices. Merchants usefestival weeks to take stock, unload unwanted oroverstocked products, and prepare for the next thirdof the year. A festival is a time ofgood deals in theemporiums.

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LANGUAGES

Deep SpeechDraconicDwarvenElvenGiant

BarazhadCommon

RellaniclokharicDavekRellanicBarazhad

BarazhadSupernalChachik

PrimordialSupernalThri-Kreen

Elementals, genasiDevilsThri-kreen

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--_ i~L,,=1

SECRETS OF POWERThe sorcerer-kings and their templars strive to keepthe people ofAthas ignorant of the true history ofthe world and the secret forces that move through it.

The effort is in vain, for Athas is an innately magicalworld that offers many paths to power. Wise druidsguard their sacred groves and hidden oases with thepowers of the primal spirits; brilliant psions study themental arts and learn to slay with a thought.

HISTORY OF ATHASSince common Athasians are forbidden to read orwrite, few people know the annals of their world.They do know that Athas used to be lush and green,rich with water and thronged with cities and realms.This knowledge is no secret; any traveler can seethe evidence of the former world crumbling in thedeserts. Ancient bridges span empty watercourses,dilapidated castles sag on hilltops over desertedtowns, shrines to vanished gods lie dusty and silent,and the ruins ofgreat cities are filled with sand andmonsters all remnants of the time known as theGreen Age. Fleeting tales whisper of eras that preceded the Green Age, leaving older and even moremysterious ruins, but no definite knowledge of suchfantastically ancient days remains in the world unlessthe sorcerer-kings know more.

The circumstances that ended the Green Age areunclear. Some say that the kingdoms of that era fellinto centuries ofvicious conflict, wars in which spellsofnightmarish power spread destruction throughoutthe world. Others say that the fearsome Dragon ofTyr came to Athas in a falling star and laid waste toall domains. What is known for sure is that the RedAge followed, centuries of chaos and suffering inwhich the civilizations of the Green Age died. Citiessuch as Bodach, Celik, and Waverly fell during thistime. Eventually, the wars of the Red Age gutteredout, leaving a blasted and desolate world that endurestoday. Many people refer to the current period as theDesert Age.

The details of the calamity that befell Athas arenot the only facts in dispute. Some say the DesertAge began a few centuries ago, while others claimthat it is two or three thousand years old. In somestories, the current sorcerer-kings are the sameimmortal rulers who battled one another long ago.According to other accounts, they are the descendants of the sorcerers who put an end to the Red Agewars and founded the known city-states in the fewhabitable spots left in the world.

PSIONICS AND MAGICPsionic power is prevalent on Athas, and manynatives practice the psionic arts. Widely known as“the Way,” psionics serves the same purposes thatarcane and divine magic serve on other worlds. Itoffers a potent weapon against enemies, a sturdyshield against harm, and the ability to perceivehidden things. Most nobles and merchants employtalented psionic masters to advise them, spy forthem, and foil the efforts of masters who work fortheir rivals. Poor or nomadic Athasians who miss thechance to train their powers formally can developwild talents, psionic abilities that can be surprisingly powerful. More than one gladiator has died insurprise after a foe in the arena used a wild talent totelekinetically grab a discarded weapon or teleport apotion fruit to a wounded ally.

Arcane magic is dangerous and uncommon.Without taking special care by using the techniqueof”preserving”—an arcane spellcaster can defile theimmediate surroundings by casting a spell. Fundamental vitality is leeched away: Plants wither,animals and people suffer crippling pain, and thesoil at the site of the casting is drained such thatnothing will grow in that spot again. Because of thisharm done to the world, those who use arcane magicare hated and persecuted across Athas. They mustpractice their arts in secret or seek the patronage ofa sorcerer-king and gain the ruler’s sanction for theirspellcasting.

Primal magic is more widespread than arcanemagic, although it is rarely practiced in the cities.Out in the barrens, wielders ofprimal magic serveas healers and defenders of their villages or tribes.Shamans, druids, wardens, and other primal wielders are regarded with deep suspicion by the templars,who dislike the notion of magic that lies outside thecontrol of their tyrannical overlords.

Divine magic is virtually unknown on Athas. Thegods of old have been silent for dozens of centuries.The ruins of ancient shrines and fragments of crumbling texts in the sorcerer-kings’ libraries suggest thatthe gods were more active in the past. In the absenceof true divinities, Athasians turn to other types ofgods. Some sorcerer-kings pretend to godhood andbuild false mythologies, encouraging their subjects toworship them. Other Athasians venerate the primalspirits of the world or turn to cults of demons or primordials. Unfortunately for worshipers, a primordialmakes for a grim and uncaring deity, taking littlenotice of its mortal servants.

16CHAPTER 1 The World of Athas

COSMOLOGYMost Athasians know nothing of the worlds andplanes that exist beyond their own. Very few scholarshave studied such topics at length, and their writingsare locked away in the vaults of the sorcerer kings.

All Athasians know the night sky and its familiarconstellations, and many peoples assign differentmeanings to the motions of the stars and planets.Athas has two moons, Ral and Guthay. Ral, a mottledgreen in color, is the closer of the two. Sages who havescried Ral report that it is covered in great green seasand mountain-islands of dizzying heights. Guthay,the smaller and more distant moon, is a golden orbmantled in steaming mists beneath which lie scarletjungles and marshy seas. Stories tell of ancient moongates on Athas that lead to both Ral and Guthay, butthey function only at unpredictable intervals.

Travelers in the wastes tell of the Lands Withinthe Wind, an otherworid of magic and enchantmentthat exists alongside the material world. Known insome ancient texts as “the Feywild” or “the Kingdoms Invisible,” this otherworid seems to be an echoor reflection ofAthas. It is absent from most placesaround the planet, but pockets of this realm lie inremote deserts and mountains, especially the ForestRidge. These pockets are small; scholars believe thatthe total amount of the plane remaining in existence,combining all fragments scattered across Athas,would fit inside the walls ofTyr. The Lands Withinthe Wind are home to the eladrin, an elflike race ofmysterious powers. A traveler could walk right pastan eladrin palace and never see it because it lies inthe other plane instead of on Athas.

The Gray is another echo ofAthas, an otherworldof shadows and ghosts. In this realm, the restlessspirits of the dead linger amid the haunted ruins ofgreat cities. Some sources call this otherworld “theShadowfell” or “the Plane of Shadow.” Like the LandsWithin the Wind, the Gray is home to strange andpowerful creatures, including mighty shadow giants,fearsome nightmare beasts, and a race of devils thattraveled to the Gray when the connection betweentheir home plane and Athas withered. Unlike theeladrin of the fey realm, the denizens of the Shadowfell are much more hostile to mortals who ventureinto their domain.

Many erudite thinkers believe that the Gray actsas a barrier between Athas and other realms beyond,and that long ago, the domains of the gods could befound in starry seas beyond the Gray. But the AstralSea has been empty for ages. No godly domainsremain within reach ofmortal travelers, and theeasy connections between the plane and Athas havebeen severed. The few Athasians who have journeyedbeyond the Gray into the depths of the Astral Sea

~ (usually agents of the sorcerer-kings, dispatched to~ seek long-lost treasures) have found little more than~ desolate ruins and terrible abominations.

Underlying the rest of existence is the ElementalChaos, a vast, churning realm from which all theenergy and elements of the world were formed. Somesources call this realm “the Elemental Planes” or “theInner Planes.” In cosmological terms, Athas is closeto the Elemental Chaos, and vortexes such as volcanoes, sand gyres, and desert flats known as “anvils”link the planet to corresponding parts of the seethingrealm. Elemental influences grow steadily strongerand more chaotic as one travels farther away from theTyr Region, suggesting that the presence ofcivilization or natural life holds true elemental power at bay(or that in the distant past, the region was shieldedfrom unchecked elemental manifestations). In thedepths of the Elemental Chaos lies the Abyss, fromwhich come the demons that plague Athas when theyare summoned by reckless rituals or planar rifts.

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CHAPTER 2

RACES OF ATHAS

“Untilyou learn otherwise, it’s best to assume that everyoneyou meet intends to rob you, enslave you, or eat you.”

— Zandar, mul mercenary

Savage, exotic, and unforgiving, the world ofAthasis unique. This harsh environment has given birthto a number of new peoples and monsters, includingtwo character races: muls, an incredibly tough race ofhalf dwarves, and the mantislike thri-kreen, a swiftand deadly insectile race.

Many of the more familiar races ofthe DUNGEONS

& DRAGONS game roam the wastes ofAthas. However, these beings have adapted over the centuries totheir brutal home and bear little resemblance to theircounterparts on other worlds. For example, the elvesofAthas aren’t flighty forest dwellers who dance in thestarlight and celebrate the living world around them.Athas has few forests to speak of, and its elves arethieving nomads and raiders who wander the desertsand wastes. Similarly, halflings aren’t good-naturedriverfolk known for their amiability and pluck. They’refierce savages and headhunters, primal warriors whoare notorious for indulging in cannibalism. Otherraces have similar variations from their expected roles.

This chapter’s races follow the same format asthe ones in the Player’s Handbook. However, insteadof describing example adventurers, the entries inthis book provide racial backgrounds, following thebackground rules in Player’s Handbook 2.

This chapter looks at new character races, newapproaches to familiar races, and new racial paragonpaths. It includes the following sections.

Miii: A mix of dwarf and human bloodlines, mulscombine the hardiness of the former race with thedrive and flexibility of the latter race. Muls arephenomenally tough and enduring.

4 Thri-Kreen: Insectlike hunters of the wastelands,the thri-kreen are quick and deadly warriors.

4 Peoples ofAthas: The world is home to culturalvariants of familiar character races such as elves,dwarves, and halflings.

Racial Paragon Paths: The mul battle slave andthe thri-kreen predator are the epitomes of theraces they represent. In addition, a new goliathparagon path, the half-giant thug, provides goliath ~characters with a distinctively Athasian option fortheir paragon tier.

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Tireless and unyielding, born tofiglzt

RACIAL TRAITSAverage Height: 5’ 8”-6’ 4”Average Weight: 200-300 lb.

Ability Scores: +2 Constitution; +2 Strength orWisdom

Size: MediumSpeed: 6 squaresVision: Normal

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Languages: Common, DwarvenSkill Bonuses: +2 Endurance, +2 StreetwiseBorn of Two Races: Select either human or dwarf. You

can take feats that have your choice as a prerequisite (as well as those specifically for muls), as long asyou meet any other requirements.

Mul Vitality: Increase your number of healing surgesby one.

Tireless: You need to sleep 6 hours in a 72-hour period(instead of a 24-hour period) to gain the benefit ofan extended rest.

Incredible Toughness: You have the incredible toughness power.

Incredible Toughness Miii Racial Power

Through dogged determination and sheer physical hardiness,you shrug offan effect that would daunt a lesser person.

EncounterNo Action PersonalTrigger: You start your turn.Effect: You end any ongoing damage or any dazed, slowed,

stunned, or weakened condition currently affecting you.

Muls are half-dwarves, descended from the union ofa human and a dwarf. They have the stature, agility,and mental flexibility ofhumankind, coupled withthe physical resilience and endurance of dwarves—arare combination of qualities that makes muls morethan a simple blend of the two races.

Because they are strong, tough, quick, and blessedwith fantastic endurance, muls are highly prized asslaves. In fact, most muls are born into slavery.

Play a mul if you want...

+ to be tough as nails.

+ to play a hero who fought his or her way out of thebonds of slavery.

+ to be a member of a race that favors the fighter,barbarian, and battlemind classes.

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PHYSICAL QUAUTIESMuscular and fit, muls resemble powerfully builthumans. Although one might expect muls to averagesomewhere between dwarf and human stature, theyare taller than most humans. Male muls have trulyheroic proportions—broad shoulders, narrow waists,powerful thighs, and thick arms. Females, whilenot as heavily muscled, are tall, strong, and athletic.Many muls ofboth genders are hairless, althoughsome grow topknots of dark hair. Their faces hint attheir dwarven ancestry, with strong, stern featuresand small, swept-back ears that come to subtle points.Mul skin and eye colors are as varied as they are inhumans, but many muls have a copper or deeplybronzed complexion, and a few have eyes of a startling honey-gold or green-gold color.

Muls have little collective racial identity and adoptthe dress and fashion of their homes. However, theyare fond of tattoos and favor simple geometric patterns rather than depictions of creatures or objects.In this way, they honor their dwarven heritage withdesigns reminiscent of dwarven motifs.

Muls have life spans comparable to those ofhumans.

PLAYING A MULMost muls begin their lives as slaves. Slaveholdersthroughout the Tyr Region have long known that tremendous hardiness and stamina result from mixinghuman and dwarven lines. Muls make outstandinggladiators, slave warriors, and heavy laborers, enduring toil and hardships that would kill lesser folk.

Muls who set their hearts on freedom are difficult to keep in chains. Some escape to the wilds andbecome raiders or join tribes of ex-slaves, whereasothers who escape become mercenaries and sell theirfighting skills to whomever they can. Muls who don’tflee captivity can win their freedom in the arenaor by completing a dangerous task for their masters. A few highly prized gladiators receive so manyprivileges and comforts that they are effectively free,enjoying great latitude to go where they want and doas they wish. The Dungeon Master might have mulheroes start the campaign as slaves. Ifnot, assumethat your mul character has already won his or herfreedom by the time the game begins.

WHY ARE THEYCALLED N’ULS?

The word “mul” is derived from the Dwarven term mu!zhennedar, which means “strength.” Pronunciation variesthroughout the Tyr Region; the word can be pronouncedas mool, mull, or mule, although this last variation is considered derogatory and might start a fight. Given thederivation of the name, sages who care about such matters regard mull as the most accurate pronunciation.

Muls are hard, driven, pragmatic folk with littleremorse or sympathy in their hearts. Many grow upunder the lash, having been taken from their parentswhile very young and subjected to brutal training forthe arena or grinding toil in fields or quarries. Consequently, muls have a hard time offering friendshipand trust to anyone. More than a few muls, scarredby the hardships of their upbringing, spend their daysas bitter, violent misanthropes. Others are suspicious,grasping mercenaries who have learned never to lift afinger on behalf of another person without establishing what they will gain from providing aid. Despitetheir tendency to be sullen or self centered, muls canlearn to work alongside others. Growing up in theslave pits and the underclass of society taught themhow to forge alliances and understandings; their survival demanded nothing less.

Mul Characteristics: Angry, blunt, callous, driven,fierce, honest, skeptical, stern, stoic, stubborn

Male Names: Aram, Borthomar, Bost, Darok, Darus,Durn, Eben, Erekard, Gard, Harask, Marok, Morg,Rikard, Rikus, Sanozar, Uskan, Zedath, Zorus

Female Names: Aisa, Aivel, Brithis, Callia, Demosis,Elina, Faivel, Himithis, Laivi, Narisel, Niva, Raina,Reshel, Saditha, Tirshel, Uisel, Zerima

MUL BACKGROUNDSCombining dwarven toughness and human ingenuity, muls inherit the best features ofboth races.Although muls can serve in many ways, most findtheir lives shaped by a noble’s desire to create aworthy champion or a merchant’s calculated investment in a gladiator for the arenas.

Broken, Beaten, Scarred: Your scars and battered features tell your tale. You have known littlemore than abuse and hardship in your life, yourbones broken and your spirit tested as you toiled forcruel masters. What sort ofwork did you do? Wereyou a common laborer, or did you fight in the arenas?Why were you targeted for so much abuse? Were youinsubordinate, or did you suffer under a tyrannicalmaster? How did you escape your tormentors?

Associated Skills: Endurance, HealFreedom’s Call: You have been a slave all your

life, and now you want nothing more than to be free.Who owns you? What are you prepared to do to winyour freedom? What will you do once you have it?

Associated Skills: Endurance, IntimidateTattooed Warrior: Most enslaved muls bear tat

toos that designate ownership, occupation, victories,or training. These decorations separate the seasonedmuls from the green ones and help owners identifytheir chattel (since few owners bother to learn theirslaves’ names). What sorts of tattoos decorate yourbody? Do you have only a few, or many?

Associated Skills: Intimidate, Streetwise

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CHAPTER 2 Races of Atlsas

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Alien to most people ofAthas, these desert-dwellingcreatures livefor the thrill of the hunt

RACIAL TRAITSAverage Height: 5’ 4”-6’ 6”Average Weight: 180-240 lb.

Ability Scores: +2 Dexterity; +2 Strength or WisdomSize: MediumSpeed: 7 squaresVision: Low-light

Languages: Common, Thri-KreenSkill Bonuses: +2 Athletics, +2 NatureMultiple Arms: Once per turn, you can draw or

sheathe a weapon (or retrieve or stow an itemstored on your person) as a free action instead of aminor action.

Natural Jumper: A thri-kreen is always considered tohave a running start when jumping.

Torpor: Rather than sleep, thri kreen enter a torpidstate. In this state, you remain aware of your surroundings, and you require only 4 hours of torpor(rather than 6 hours of sleep) to gain the benefit of~ extended rest.

Thri-Kreen Claws: You have the thri kreen claws power.

Thri-Kreen Claws Thri-Kreen Racial Power

You quickly lash out with all your claws, tearing atnearby enemies.EncounterMinor Action Melee 1Target: One, two, or three enemiesAttack: Strength, Dexterity, or Wisdom + 3 (6 at 11th level

and 9 at 21st level) vs. ACHit. 1 d8 + Strength, Dexterit>c or Wisdom modifier

damage. You gain a bonus to the damage roll equal tothe number of targets.Level ii: 2d8 + Strength, Elexterit>c or Wisdom modifier

damage.Level 21: 3d8 + Strength, Dexterity, or Wisdom modifier

damage.

Thri-kreen are mantislike humanoids that hunt inpacks throughout the wastes ofAthas. They haveadapted to the harsh climate and are experts at surviving with only scarce resources. Thri-kreen arenimble, and many also have psionic abilities.

Play a thri-kreen if you want...

+ to be a pragmatic hunter who knows how to survive in a harsh world.

+ to roleplay a race with beliefs and practices far different from those ofhumans.

+ to be a member of a race that favors the monk,druid, and ranger classes.

PHYSICAL QUALITIESThe insectoid thri-kreen have six limbs and are covered in tough, sandy-colored chitinous plates. Theirlowest pair of limbs is used as legs, and their upperpair of limbs serves as arms. The middle set of limbsis small but dexterous, and the thri kreen use themfor fine manipulation, leaving heavy work to thestronger upper arms. Both the middle and the upperpairs of limbs have three clawed fingers and oneopposable thumb. In combat, thri-kreen hold weapons or shields in their upper limbs, since the middlepair lacks the strength for this purpose and usingboth sets of limbs would be awkward and unwieldy.

Swift and athletic, thri-kreen are natural climbersand jumpers. Their wedge-shaped heads have largecompound eyes, two (mostly vestigial) antennae, andpowerful mandibles. They can speak an accentedform of Common but prefer their own language,which is easier to pronounce with their mouth parts.

Thri-kreen have short life spans and rarely reach30 years of age.

PLAYING A THRI-KREENThri-kreen minds, behavior, and physiology oftenseem bizarre to members of other races. But despitetheir fierce appearance, the insectlike humanoidscan be loyal and courageous companions. Thri-kreenhave most of the same needs and morals as do otherraces; they simply prioritize those needs and moralsdifferently. Most important, thri-kreen judge otherssolely on physical and mental ability. The lazy andweak deserve contempt, regardless of race; likewise,strength and cleverness merit respect no matter whodemonstrates these qualities.

Thri kreen view everything through the lens ofthe hunt and the predator-prey relationship. Theirbasic social units are the clutch and the pack. Aclutch is a small group (no more than six) to whichan individual kreen has a close bond. The concept ofthe clutch combines “team,” “friends,” and “family.”Every thri-kreen has a birth clutch that consists of allsurviving members of the group of eggs from which ithatched. Later in life, each kreen forms one or moreother clutches, perhaps centered around adventuring groups or specialized hunting parties. A pack isa larger social unit that consists of any number ofclutches. If deprived of a clutch, a thri kreen is biologically compelled to seek out a new group to join.

Obeying their pack instincts, thri-kreen try tofind their place in any group. They use a series ofchallenges to determine the pecking order, assessingtheir possible clutchmates in secret or, when necessary, demanding trial by combat. Thri kreen seize

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leadership ofgroups in which they’re the strongestmembers, but they are willing to accept subordinateroles in the presence ofpowerful allies. They takeorders from the pack or clutch leader without hesitation, eager to fulfill the duties of their position.Despite the apparent autocracy of a kreen group, anymember is free to voice its opinion and offer advice.Indeed, each thri-kreen is expected to have expertisein matters the others do not. All must contribute tothe good of the clutch and the success of the hunt.

In thri kreen culture, combat is just another kindof hunt. Thri kreen rarely fight out of malice and seeno need for aggression unless it is the best means ofobtaining the resources they need to survive. Self-defense is another matter—a thri-kreen who has beenattacked can’t fathom any response other than a violent counterattack. After a victorious battle, a kreen’sfirst instinct is to collect any useful possessions thatbelonged to the attacker or (in the case ofbeasts) toharvest the body for food.

Many thri-kreen develop psionic abilities. Thosewho fully pursue these gifts often become monks orbattleminds, taking advantage oftheir physical talents.Some attribute this natural ability to racial memory.Each member ofthe race is born with the clutchmentality and an innate knowledge of the Thri-Kreenlanguage. When a thri-kreen encounters a place or anitem that played an important part in kreen history,it might see flashes of the past an upwelling of racialmemories long suppressed but present in all kreen.

Thri-Kreen Characteristics: Distinctive, dutiful,inscrutable, observant, predatory, single-minded, tough

Male and Female Names: Cha’ka, Chuka-tet, Drikchkit, Hakka, Ka’cha, Kacht ta, Ka’tho, Lakta-cho,Pak’cha, Pik-ik-cha, Sa’Relka, T’Chai, Tak-tha

THRI-KREEN BACKGROUNDSThri kreen are a people of the deep desert. Most arenomads of the Western Hinterlands and have littleexperience in cities, but some come from large packsof raiders that plague the Ivory Triangle and theTablelands. Kreen estranged from their people formnew clutches with companions of other races.

DUTiES OF A CLUTCHMATEThe clutch mindset influences all thri-kreen actions, andthe duties to the clutch are many.+ Accept your place in the clutch and follow the lead

er’s commands, for the clutch must be orderly.+ Challenge a weak leader, for the clutch must be strong.+ Offer advice to the leader, for the clutch must be wise.+ Protect the clutch and clutchmates, for the clutch

must endure.+ First fulfill your duty to the clutch, then to the pack,

then to other kreen, then to intelligent creatures, andthen to prey, for the clutch must be foremost.

Last of the Clutch: As a result ofbattle or tragedy,the other members ofyour birth clutch were slain orcaptured, and you are the only one left. Do you lookfor new allies worthy ofbeing in your new clutch? Doyou try to find and rescue your imprisoned clutch-mates? Was it your failure that led to your clutch’sfate? Has it been difficult to survive on your own?

Associated Skills: Endurance, InsightExplorer of the World: The odd creatures

around you are covered in soft flesh instead of chitin,and they exude a delicious scent. What more can youlearn about them? Does their lack of ties to clutch andpack worry you? They might be untrustworthy. Whydo they lie down and close their eyes for hours onend? Perhaps they are weak or lazy. Is it even possiblefor these creatures to be worthwhile clutchmates?

Associated Skills: Diplomacy, HealFollower of the Great One: You experienced

a potent vision a triggered racial memory thatshowed you images of the Great One, a thri-kreenkhan who once ruled your race and worked alongside humans. Do you seek to restore the alliancebetween your people and other humanoids? Doyou delve deeper into thri-kreen history? Has yourexperience awakened latent abilities and led you tobecome a psionic character?

Associated Skills: Diplomacy, History


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PEOPLES OF ATHAS

~rdi~i

Many different kinds of intelligent creatures populate Athas, and the streets of the city-states arecrowded with folk of a dozen kindreds: humans,dwarves, genasi, elves, goliaths, muls, shifters, tareks,tieflings, thri-kreen, and more. The typical citydweller rarely gives a second glance to fantastic ormonstrous individuals as long as they seem willingto trade or talk instead of fight and they don’t act in athreatening manner.

1~.

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CHARACTER BACKGR UNDSYou can pick as many background elements for yourcharacter as you like, but three is usually a good number.When selecting elements, choose from the followingcategories.

Racial: Racial backgrounds show how a DARK SUN

race differs from the familiar presentation in the Player’sHandbook. They also help decide why you became anadventurer and establish your character’s personality.

Regional: Choosing a homeland gives your charactergrounding, helping you establish his or her perspective and knowledge about the world. See Chapter 5 forregional background elements.

Other: Other background elements, such as thosefound in Player’s Handbook 2 and other sources, can putthe finishing touches on your character, offering key facetsthat help make your character unique.

Regardless of how many background elements you select,when you create a character, choose one of the followingbenefits (with your Dungeon Master’s consent):+ Gain a +2 bonus to checks with one of the skills asso

ciated with your background.4 Add one skill associated with your background to your

class’s skill list before choosing your trained skills.4 Gain one language associated with your background.

DRAGONBORN (DRAY)Created many centuries ago by the sorcerer-king ofGiustenal (page 162) to serve as a race of sorcerouswarriors, dragonborn or dray, as they call themselves are a strong, resilient race of dragonlikehumanoids. Most dray were cast out of their home bytheir creator, Dregoth, and a handful of dragonbornsurvived when Giustenal was destroyed. From thoseancient refugees arose a race ofmercenaries, sorcerers, and slave traders known for their calculating(and sometimes duplicitous) ways.

The dragonborn are not a numerous people. Theylive in tight-knit clans that often share a secret citadelor tower in the wastes. Clan members roam far fromtheir mysterious retreats, looking after the group’sinterests. Some dragonborn clans take part in theslave trade, hiring raiders or mercenaries of otherraces to serve as their slave catchers. Dragonborn

,d who object to trafficking in slaves often earn a livingas deal brokers, moneylenders, or speculators. Theyare also renowned as sorcerers for hire. Dragonbornclans strike deals with the sorcerer-kings ofvariouscity states, paying richly for licenses or dispensationsto practice arcane magic in those locations. Nobles,wealthy merchants, and templars have need of a

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sorcerer clan’s services and pay very well for them.Naturally, members of the Veiled Alliance (andanyone else suspicious of arcane magic) regard dragonborn with suspicion.

Dragonborn live by a brutally pragmatic philosophy rooted in their exile from Giustenal. They tend tobe avaricious, sly, and amoral, although they carefullyobserve the exact wording of any deal or bargain theystrike, since it’s good business to have a reputation forliving up to agreements. The dray learned long agothat they can rely only upon one another, and theyare fiercely loyal to their clan brothers and sisters. Aclan gathers from far and wide to avenge an insult oran injury to one of its own, and the group won’t restuntil the vendetta is settled.

DRAGONBORN BACKGROUNDSYour clan likely has business dealings—some legitimate, and some less so in several city-states. Not alldragonborn are slavers and defilers, but most peopleyou meet assume that you might be.

Clanbiade: You grew up in an insular dragonbornclan. Early in your youth, you were apprenticed to anolder relative who taught you how to make a livingas a smuggler, mercenary, or slaver. Who was yourmentor, and is he or she still alive? To whom have yousold your skills since? Did you treat your employersfairly, or did you cheat them in some way?

Associated Skills: Insight, StreetwiseSpeliscale: You are heir to a tradition of arcane

magic dating back to the earliest days ofyour race.You sell your magical talents openly, bearing adispensation purchased by your clan. Are there city-states where you are not permitted to practice? Howdo you react when people scorn you for your magic?

Associated Skills: Arcana, Intimidate

DWARFThe dwarves ofAthas have the stature of their kindred in other worlds short, sturdy, and thicklymuscled. Most dwarves have deep tans from livesspent toiling in the hot sun, with wide, callusedhands and feet. They usually have little or no hair; theflowing beards that are the pride ofmale dwarves onother worlds are never seen on the Athasian variety.

Dwarves are known for their stoicism and singlemindedness. They fix their minds on the task athand, whether it is a challenging feat of engineering,an intricate work of craft, a struggle for survival, or aquest for revenge. It’s just not in their nature to abandon a task or leave work half done; dwarves set asidethe object of their focus only after much grumblingand coercion.

Dwarves have no lands of their own and liveamong the other folk ofAthas. They reside both incities and in the countryside, and they tend to bebuilders and farmers instead ofnomads or raiders.

Despite the current absence of dwarven cities orstrongholds, dwarves have a rich cultural historypassed down from generation to generation in greatsagas and secret traditions. Long ago, dwarven citieswere the marvel of the world, and the dwarves keepthe tales of their past glories and bitter defeats aliveacross the centuries.

DWARF BACKGROUNDSAlthough the dwarves ofpresent-day Athas carve nogreat citadels and retain few of their ancient holdings,your people remain the most talented stoneworkersand engineers in the world. Dwarf-made wells, cisterns, and canals are marvels of design, and dwarvenmetalwork rare though it might be—is the finest tobe found.

Desert Miner: Great toil often yields greatrewards. You come from a clan ofminers who laboriously scratch and claw buried treasures from thebones of the earth. Perhaps your clan’s mine is playedout, and now you search for a new deposit to work, ormaybe raiders destroyed your family’s holdings andscattered your group to the four winds. Do your kinfolk still wait for you somewhere? Are you motivatedby the dream of founding a rich holding ofyour ownsomeday?

Associated Skills: Dungeoneering, NatureSkilled Artisan: Your clan resides in one of the

city states, where its members are respected as expertartisans or engineers. Perhaps you left the clan afterstriking back against the oppression of the templarsor nobles, or maybe you discovered that you had nopassion for the work and left to find your fortuneelsewhere. What trade do your kin follow are theyarmorers, stonemasons, or well diggers? Are they freeor slave, poor or well off? Why did you leave?

Associated Skills: Insight, Streetwise

THE VANQUiSHED PEOPLESLong ago, other races lived on Athas, races that do notexist today. Some were eradicated in ancient wars, somewere hunted down by agents of the sorcerer kings, andothers died out with the passing of the old world. Devas,gnomes, kobolds, ogres, orcs, and trolls are among theraces that no longer exist on Athas.

However, the Dungeon Master is free to modify thislist of vanquished peoples in his or her own DARK SUN

campaign. Even if a race was wiped out long ago, it’s possible for members of that race to appear as exceptions(with the Dungeon Master’s consent). For example, if youwant to play a gnome, your character might be a planarexplorer stranded on Athas or a hero from the past whowas hurled forward to the current age by a magical convulsion. You might be the only one of your kind in theworld, but there’s no reason you can’t play the characteryou want to play.

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CHAPTER 2 Races of Atlias25

EIADRINDune traders spread tales of cities hidden in mirages,oases that vanish with the rising sun, and travelerscarried off to noble palaces invisible to the mortaleye. The stories of hidden kingdoms in the desert aretrue in part. They describe the realms of the eladrin,denizens of the Lands Within the Wind (also sometimes called the Feywild).

Eladrin are almost completely unknown to mostAthasians. They are thought to be a perilous race ofenchanters who ward their secret towers and unseenpalaces with madness and illusion. In truth, the feyrealm has all but vanished, and the few eladrin outposts that remain there are crumbling into ruin astheir land is burned away by defiling magic.

Eladrin regard their hidden realms as the last yestige ofcivilization remaining in (or near) the world.This attitude makes eladrin haughty, condescending, decadent, and demanding. The race abandonedarcane magic long ago, viewing it as the agency bywhich their home plane was destroyed. Instead, theyturned to psionic power and delved deeply into theWay; eladrin psions are among the most knowledgeable and dangerous individuals on Athas. The veryconcept ofusing arcane magic is anathema to eladrin,and they fiercely guard the remaining fragments oftheir home against reckless spellcasting.

Eladrin adventurers are rare in the mortal world.Some are exiles, driven out oftheir native realmsunder a death sentence for practicing forbidden magic.Some are spies or messengers, tasked with watchingthe sorcerer-kings or rallying opposition to the tyrants.Most are refugees who have left their fading homelands behind in search ofa new way of life.

ELADRIN BACKGROUNDSBehind you lies a childhood in the fabled LandsWithin the Wind amid the fading splendor of a dyingworld. For good or for ill, your fate now lies in themortal realm.

Haunted Survivor: The ancestral realms ofyourpeople are collapsing and decaying. Every year, moreand more of the Lands Within the Wind vanishforever. You have become a rootless vagabond, yourown home already destroyed. Are you a grim avenger,determined to exact meaning from that destruction?Do you hope to find another home to call your own,or are you content to live for the moment, taking whatpleasure you can from a world soon to pass away?

Associated Skills: Endurance, NatureVeiled Warrior: In a few places, the ancient lords

ofthe eladrin maintain their shrinking fey domainsand guard them from mortal knowledge. To ensurethat the secret doors to those realms remain hidden,the eladrin dispatch spies and watchers into the mortalworld. You are one ofthese veiled warriors, and it isyour duty to study mortal affairs and, when you can,

to act against those whose defiling or recklessness putsyour homeland at risk. Whom do you serve? Whatenemies do you oppose to keep your home safe?

Associated Skills: Nature, Stealth

FITElves are tall, long-legged desert rovers whose tribeswander the face ofAthas. Traders and herders, elvesrarely stay in one place for long. They are also charlatans, entertainers, thieves, and raiders. Each of thegreat city-states hosts a branch of the Elven Market anever-ending bazaar where the elves (and otherswho deal in goods of dubious origin) sell their wares.Many elven goods are cheap baubles of little worthor were stolen from their rightful owners. Still, elveshave a knack for being in the right place at the righttime to peddle their wares, and even the most officious templar appreciates the selection ofgoods inthe elven market.

Elves run swiftly and with great endurance. Tribescan manage forty miles a day or more, day in and dayout. Elves consider it shameful to ride an animal suchas a crodlu or a kank, and one does so only if ill orgravely wounded. Normally, such mounts are used asbeasts ofburden to carry the tribes’ goods and tents.If a sorcerer-king sends his soldiers to punish anelven tribe for a brazen act of theft or lawlessness, hemight find that not even kank-mounted cavalry cancatch a tribe that has a mind to be somewhere else.

Most Athasians consider elves lazy and deceitful.It’s true that many elves dislike hard work and preferto live in the moment, avoiding unpleasant tasks anddrudgery. They have little regard for anyone who isn’ta member of their tribe. Elves happily take advantageof, steal from, lie to, or misdirect outsiders, not outof malice so much as a desire to separate the gullible from their items ofvalue. When it’s important tomaintain a valuable trading relationship, elves honortheir word and barter in good faith. But the momentthey perceive an opportunity that is too good to passup, they abandon their previous deals.

Although elves are fickle business partners, theycan be true and loyal friends to those who win theirtrust. But few outsiders gain the friendship of anelven tribe.

ELF BACKGROUNDSHerding, trading, thieving, raiding your people dowhat they must to survive, and you have pursuedmany occupations in your time. Some Athasiansregard elves as vagabonds or vermin and hold yourpeople in contempt, but you are free in a way that fewothers can understand.

Market Thief: From your early childhood, youmastered the arts of chicanery, deceit, and petty theft.Your tribe roamed from village to village, establishing a short-lived elven market wherever it pitched itstents. Were you a pickpocket or a burglar, preying onthe dull-witted locals? Were you an entertainer who


distracted the crowds so that other elves could stealfrom them? Does your tribe still wander from place toplace, or did some disaster befall the group, sendingyou out into the world alone?

Associated Skills: Streetwise, ThieverySand Raider: Life in the desert is hard. You come

from a tribe ofnomadic herders, a desert people whomust move from place to place constantly to survive.When times grow especially hard or when opportunity arises your people take spear and bow in handto raid for what they need. Whom did you steal from?What led you to leave your tribe behind and set outon your own?

Associated Skills: Endurance, Stealth

GOLIATH (HALF-GIANT)Centuries ago, sorcerer-kings magically combinedgiant and human stock to breed powerful minions,creating the hardy race of towering warriors knownas goliaths (commonly called half-giants). Most sorcerer-kings have hundreds of goliaths in their armiesand shower the mighty warriors with luxuries inexchange for their loyalty. Other half-giants becomeurban thugs or mercenaries. They adopt the cultureand traditions of the cities in which they dwell.

Over the years, many goliaths have found theirway into the untamed reaches ofAthas. Wild goliaths are fierce, mountain-dwelling barbarians whoraid the people of the lowlands in search of plunder,captives, and prestige. Half-giant tribes are fractiousand quarrelsome as a rule; ambitious young warriorschallenge established chieftains, and long remembered slights and insults threaten to erupt into deadlyfeuding. Shamans, druids, and others who wieldthe power of the elements or nature lie outside thebounds of such disputes and rivalries, and they servea vital role as peacemakers and advisors. Regardless,a goliath sometimes leaves his or her enemies behindfor a few years and seeks out new opportunities elsewhere. After all, returning to the tribe as a wealthy,successful warrior with an impressive train of treasures and captives is the best revenge.

Half-giants are often violent and short tempered,but their moods are mercurial. They can pass fromfrothing rage to gales of laughter in the blink of an eye.

GOLIATH BACKGROUNDSBecause most goliaths fight or toil for a living, otherssometimes assume that you’re a simple-minded thug.You can fight very well, of course, but there’s moreto you than your muscles. Whether you live down toothers’ expectations is up to you.

Feral Raider: You were a merciless raider, plundering villages and settlements for water, food, andother supplies. You might have continued in thismanner, but something changed your course. Didyour band cross paths with a powerful enemy? Didyou abandon your tribe after realizing how much

suffering you had caused? How did your time as araider shape your present views?

Associated Skills: Intimidate, StealthHalf-Giant Laborer: You spent your life toiling

for a master, using your great strength in a stonequarry or your mighty endurance to work the fields.Whom did you serve? Were you a slave, or a freelaborer? What sort ofwork did you do? How did youescape your drudgery?

Associated Skills: Athletics, EnduranceNoble’s Guard: You served in the war band or

palace guard of a great noble. In which city-state didyou serve? Was your service voluntary? Were you apersonal guard? A soldier? Who was your patron, andhow did you come to leave his or her employ?

Associated Skills: Intimidate, Streetwise

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SCHAPTER 2 Races of Athas

HALF-ELFBorn from two worlds but welcome in neither, halfelves struggle to find their place in a hostile land.Humans and elves rarely share trust or affection, butthey travel many of the same roads on Athas, andsometimes romance follows. However, the children ofunions between elves and humans are rarely happy.Half-elves typically face intolerance and prejudicesthroughout their lives. A tribe of elves might go so faras to cast out a female elfwho bears a half-elf child,letting the desert dispense with the object of theirshame. Humans care less about elven ancestry, butmost assume that half elves are every bit as cleverand dishonest as their elven forebears.

Because they must contend with hostility fromboth sides, half-elves are a people without a homeland, forced to endure on society’s fringes. Somehalf-elves live as loners in the desert, surviving asherders, hunters, or employees of more tolerant merchant houses. Other half-elves adjust by developingconfident, assertive personalities, transforming themselves into people who win friends and engendertrust. Ironically, they are treated better by unrelatedraces than by their own kin. Dwarves, halflings, thrikreen, and others have no particular reason to dislikehalf-elves and judge them on their merits and character, not their ancestry.

As one might assume of a race of loners, half-elves hold self-reliance as their highest virtue, neverexpecting or asking for help no matter what theirsituation. Self taught and naturally adept at learning,half-elves dabble in a variety of areas, mastering theskills they need to survive on their own. Some halfelves are bitter and sullen, but most seek to makethe best of their circumstances. More than anything,half elves take pride in defeating expectations.

HAI~F-EI.F BACKGROUNDSCaught between two worlds, you find few friendsamong your human or elven kin. Ifyou want to survive, you must depend on yourself and no one else.

Charlatan: You respond to widespread scorn andsuspicion by using your talents for ill gain. Defrauding the people who disdain you is a sure way to makethem pay for their offenses. At what point did youdecide to become a con artist? What sorts of ruses doyou employ? Have you made any dangerous enemies?If so, who are they?

Associated Skills: Bluff, StreetwiseExiled Survivor: Elves often drive out a tribe

member who gives birth to a half-elf child, a fatetantamount to a death sentence. How did you andyour mother survive? Did you join a slave tribe? Didyou scrape by in the slums of a city-state? Did yourmother blame you for her fate?

Associated Skills: Endurance, Nature

Heartless Mercenary: Finding no practicalline ofwork in your community, you resorted to lessnoble means to make ends meet—you became a professional killer. Did you operate in the open, or didyou conceal your true work behind a cover profession? Do you still kill for coin? If not, why did youstop? How do you think ofyour time as a sellswordwhen you look back on it?

Associated Skills: Acrobatics, Stealth

HALFLINGMost halflings hail from the Forest Ridge, a mysterious and legendary jungle said to crown the RingingMountains. Halflings live apart from other races,divided by their stature and odd customs, but no onecan deny their bravery and cunning. The savageryfor which they are feared masks a deep and abidingreverence for the natural world and an uncommon connection to the land’s spirits. Haiflings livethroughout the Tyr Region—some as slaves, others asmercenaries, and still others as raiders. Regardless, allhaiflings look to the Forest Ridge as their homeland.

The haiflings are an ancient people; according totheir myths, they are among the oldest in the world.Once stewards of all the land, the haiflings retreatedwhen dark magic came to power, and they built acivilization at the roof of the world. Over the agesthey have forgotten much of their learning, but theyremain a spiritual people, and their connections tothe natural world are the strongest of any civilizedrace in the Tyr Region. These connections make it

hard for them to establish productive relationshipswith other races. For example, halflings place littleemphasis on the individual; each haifling is merelypart of the overall race, which itself is part of a muchlarger organism the world. This view makes it nearlyimpossible for haiflings to deceive or betray oneanother.

Halflings see all creatures as potential sourcesof sustenance. After all, living beings compete tosurvive, and halflings think nothing of eating theirenemies, for doing so ensures their own survival.

HALFLING BACKGROUNDSYour people are feared and misunderstood acrossthe Tyr Region, and you find the ways of the so-called“civilized races” arbitrary and confusing. They callyou a savage, but at least your people don’t confineone another in cages or submit to the rule of defilers.

Nature’s Protector: You commit your life to protecting the few natural resources left in the world.Is this task inherited from a predecessor, or did youassume the burden on your own? How do you protect nature? Do you guard a particular site, or do youwatch over all lands through which you travel? Inyour mind, what is the greatest threat to nature?

Associated Skills: Heal, Nature

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CHAPTER 2 Races of Atlias

Hunter: Your people believe that all creatures areeither predator or prey, and you consider yourself tobe the consummate predator. You eat what you kill,including vermin, beasts, and humanoid enemies. Todo otherwise is wasteful; one must respect nature’sbounty. How do you justify this behavior to your cornpanions? Do you hide this custom, or revel in it?

Associated Skills: Endurance, IntimidateRenegade Mercenary: You have turned away

from the old ways, abandoning your people to findyour fortune in the lowland cities. Deemed a renegade by your kin, you sell your skills to merchants,sorcerer-kings, slave tribes—anyone who meets yourprice. Why did you break from your people? Do youfeel guilty for having done so?

Associated Skills: Perception, Stealth

HUMANA resourceful and hardy race, humans are themost numerous and diverse people in the TyrRegion. They can be found in every social stratumand situation: city dweller and desert villager,nomadic herder and merchant trader, pamperednoble and wretched slave. Humans’ drive, ambition,and ingenuity help the race survive on the dyingworld and thrive under the rule of the sorcerer-kings.

Athasian humans come in all shapes and sizes, butthey reflect certain predominant traits common toparticular city-states. Humans in Draj, for example,have broad chins, bronze skin, and black hair thathardly ever grows on their faces. Humans from Guighave dark brown skin and rounder features withthick, curly hair. Tyr’s humans are varied becausethat city-state’s population is a conglomeration ofhumans from throughout the world. Regardless oftheir origins, all humans are given to unusual traitssuch as odd skin or eye color, exaggerated features, orlack ofbody hair—that might be effects of the magicthat brought ruin to the land. Such traits are commonand rarely elicit more than a glance.

More humans live in the city-states than they doanywhere else. Although humans are resilient andadaptable, the city-states offer shelter, water, andfood commodities that are rare outside their walls.From Tyr to Draj, humans are the dominant people,dwarfing other populations in the city-states. Theyare the most likely to be free citizens, merchants,nobles, slaveholders, and landowners; most templarsare human as well. Outside the city-states, humannumbers fall off, eclipsed by the other peoples of thedeserts, but even in the wastes humans are common.They seem able to scratch out a living no matterwhere they reside.

As a people, humans are bereft of a past. Floodedwith propaganda and prohibited by the sorcerer-kings and templars from keeping written histories,most humans know only the stories told in their

communities. These tales paint the despots as saviors,gods, or anointed champions who, through selflessactions, saved Athas from certain destruction. Manyhumans chafe against tyranny’s chains but hold theirtongues, seeing no reason to jeopardize the shelter,water, and food they receive in return for their loyalty. However, although the sorcerer-kings have greatinfluence over the city-states and their human populations, the rulers’ control is not as secure as it oncewas. When Tyr’s champions assassinated King Kalakand liberated the city, they sparked the fires of rebellion across the region, opening people’s eyes to thepossibility of a world free of the oppression that hasdefined life on Athas for so long.

Humans typically have backgrounds based ontheir home region.

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TIEFLINGThe people of the desert settlements have much tofear from the wastes. Predators snatch livestock andchildren, sandstorms destroy homes, and the punishing heat and scarce water make life miserable.However, all these dangers pale before the mercilessdesert devils that emerge from the night, bent onmurder and mayhem. They are remorseless raiders,taking no slaves and leaving no survivors. They arethe tieflings, and they are death incarnate.

Tieflings are descended from humans who bargained with dark powers for the strength to surviveon Athas and destroy their enemies. Most tieflingslurk on civilization’s fringes in nomadic bands, drifting through the wastes in search ofvictims to rob andkill or hiring themselves out as vicious mercenaries.Small bands sometimes settle in the city-states, wherethey find work as enforcers, overseers, gladiators, andassassins. In cities where status is determined by personal merit, tieflings can become templars or rise tothe nobility.

Many tieflings believe that they carry a blooddebt the price to be paid for their ancestors’ bargain and face an eternity of torment unless the debtis paid in their lifetime. Some assume that the debtcan’t be paid and live in debauchery while they can,whereas others lead lives ofvirtue in the hope ofbreaking their patron’s hold. The most dangeroustieflings are those who believe that their debt must bepaid in blood, and that each soul they send into deathreduces their own burden.

TIEFLING BACKGROUNDSYour people have a reputation as dealers of death.

Feed the Debt: A debt hangs over you, one thatcan be satisfied only with blood. Before you die, youmust send a worthy offering to the dark master ofyour race, or you will be condemned to torment foreternity. Whether you pay your debt with wantonslaughter or seek other means of redemption is up toyou. Are you selective about your victims? Do you feelremorse for your killing, or do you see it as a meansto an end? How far would you go to escape the fate ofyour people?

Associated Skills: Intimidate, StealthSeeking Redemption: Killing others to settle

your debt only reinforces the evil that stains yoursoul. There must be a better way to escape yourdoom. In what ways do you try to free yourself fromyour debt? How do you control the darkness withinyou? How do you see other tieflings?

Associated Skills: Diplomacy, Insight

OTHER RACESThe races described above account for most of thecivilized peoples on Athas, but the world is hometo minor races as well, including genasi, kalashtar,minotaurs, and more. These races exist in such smallnumbers or live in lands so remote that they havelittle influence on the world at large. Before choosinga minor race for your character, talk with your Dungeon Master to see if it is suitable for the campaign.

Genasi: Also known as haif-elementals, genasitypically reside in the depths of the wastelands andon isles in the Sea of Silt. Their elemental nature givesthem the ability to endure environmental conditionsthat other humanoids find intolerable. Most genasiare devoted to the elemental spirits of the wastes, andthey bitterly resent defilers, especially the sorcererkings and agents of those tyrants.

Kalashtar: Psionic study has long been a partofAthasian culture, and some humans are livingembodiments of the Way. The kalashtar, a race ofpsionic beings, evolved from masters who trainedin remote monasteries long ago. Most kalashtar areindistinguishable from humans and are, more or less,a psionically adept subset of the human race.

Minotaur: Centuries ago, minotaurs were derivedfrom beast-headed giants by the priests of a cult thatsought to harness elemental power to use against thesorcerer-kings. The cult was stamped out, but thesavage warriors they created survived and eventuallyspread across Athas. Today, minotaurs are a race offeral, violent reavers that lurk in the badlands andbarrens. On occasion, less brutal members of the raceseek employment or adventure in the Seven Cities.

INTRODUCING OTHER RACESMany races in the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS game have noexplicit explanation for their presence in the DARK SUN

campaign setting. If you want to introduce a new race toAthas, you can use several possible entry points to makeit fit with the rest of the world. Here are a few examplesof how to bring your chosen race into the campaign.+ The deep deserts of Athas produce mutated off

shoots of existing creatures, spawning short-livedraces that grow and fade away in a matter of years.Perhaps you and others of your kind evolved as aresult of this mutation or through contact with theancient site called the Pristine Tower (page 163).

+ The world was not always as it is now. You and yourkind are relics of a bygone age, preserved for eons bymagic or psionics. Now, you emerge into a world fardifferent from the Athas you once knew.

+ The mightiest beings on Athas wield arcane, primal,and psionic powers that rival those held by the godsof other worlds. Perhaps these beings infused existing creatures with some of their power, warping theoriginal specimens into a new race and creating youand your kind Goliaths and minotaurs share thiskind of origin.


RACiAL PARAGON PATHSRacial paragon paths serve as examples ofunique,distinctive qualities of a character race.

Choosing a Racial Paragon Path: When youreach 11th level, you can choose a racial paragonpath instead of another paragon path. The only

HAI.F-GIANT T UG“Oh, did Iget in your way? This alley is too narrowformy bulk. I guessyou’ll have to go through me to get whereyou’re headed.”

Prerequisite: Goliath

In the city-states, some enslaved goliaths work asenforcers, and the other residents know better than tosay no when half-giant thugs come looking for goodsor money. The physical might of these thugs ensuresthat they receive better treatment than most otherslaves do, and sometimes their children are set free(to appease the parent and guarantee loyalty).

Whether you serve as a slave or seek your ownlivelihood as a mercenary, violence and intimidationare your most useful tools. You get what you want byusing your size, your attitude, and your keen knowledge of the back streets and seedy locations ofyourcity-state. Anyone who has heard ofyou clears theway for you to pass, and thanks to your stature, theyalways see you coming.

prerequisite is that you must be a character of theappropriate race.

Implements: Ifyour racial paragon path includespowers that have the implement keyword, you canuse implements ofyour class and implements yougained through a feat for those powers.

HA1.F-GIANT THUG PATH FEATURESUrban Skills (11th level): You gain a +2 racial

bonus to Intimidate checks and Streetwise checks.Half-Giant’s Retaliation (11th level): When

an enemy hits you while you have resistance to thatattack because ofyour stone’s endurance racial power,that enemy grants combat advantage to you until theend ofyour next turn.

Gigantic Action (11th level): When you spendan action point to take an extra action, you can eitherincrease your melee reach by 1 for any attack youmake with the extra action, or you can regain the useof stone’s endurance.

Untouchable Athlete (16th level): You gain a5 bonus to all defenses against opportunity attacks

while jumping 4 or more squares or while climbing.

HAIr-GIANT THUG POWERS

Towering Presence Half-Giant Thug Attack 11

You slam afoe to the ground and stand astride it, preventingthe enemyfrom rising until it has dealt with you.

Encounter + WeaponStandard Action Melee 1Target: One creatureAttack: Strength, Constitution, or Dexterity vs. ACHit 3[W] ÷ Strength, Constitution, or Dexterity modifier

damage, and you knock the target prone. Until the endof the target’s next turn, it cannot stand up until either itattacks you or you are not adjacent to it.

Sudden Endurance Half-Giant Thug Utility 1 2

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EncounterImmediate Interrupt PersonalTrigger: You are hit by an attack.Effect You gain resist 10 to all damage against that attack.

Rockslide Stance Half-Giant Thug Attack 20

You use technfques you learned through a lifetime ofbrawls tobecome tougher and meaner than anyone else around.

Daily 4 StanceMinor Action PersonalEffect You assume the rockslide stance. Until the stance

ends, you gain resistance equal to your Strength orConstitution modifier to all damage. Once per round whenyou hit with a melee weapon attack or a close weaponattack on your turn, each enemy adjacent to you takesdamage equal to your Strength modifier, plus 1 [Wj extradamage if you have combat advantage against that enemy.

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MUL BATTLE SLAVE“On my seventh birthday I was taught how to kill a personwith a knite. For the next twelve years my keepers trainedme in every knownform ofpersonal combat. Now I amfreeto choose myfights, but I cannot escape what I am.”

Prerequisite: Mul

Like many muls, you were born into slavery and asa youngster received brutal training for the arenaor the armies ofyour noble house. For years youendured painful lessons, grueling conditioning,and the occasional lethal test ofyour skill until youbecame a killing machine. But despite everythingthat was done to you, your spirit remained free andunbroken. In time you left your owners’ slave pensbehind and set out to find your own fortune beneaththe crimson sun.

Perhaps you are truly free, the master ofyour fateafter years ofbondage. Maybe you remain enslaved,but as a successful battle slave, you have almost allthe rights and luxuries of a wealthy free citizen.Whether you are a warrior who calls no one masteror a prized champion who is a slave in name only,you carry the harsh lessons ofyour upbringing. Nowit is your choice whether to fight for gold, for glory,

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for love, or for hate, but regardless ofyour motivation,you cannot escape the simple fact that fighting iswhat you do best.

Mui. BATTLE SI.AVE PATH FEATURESPain Is Weakness (11th level): You gain a +2

bonus to saving throws while bloodied.Battle Slave Action (11th level): When you

spend an action point to take an extra action, you alsogain a +4 bonus to melee basic attack rolls until theend ofyour next turn.

Battle Experience (16th level): Ifyou miss alltargets when using an encounter attack power andyou have no other encounter attack powers remaining, you do not expend that encounter attack power.

MUL BATTLE SLAVE POWERS

Challenge of Blades Mul Battle Slave Attack 11

You plunge into thefray with a stiike at the legs ofonefoe,then sh!ft and make a second strike at anotherfoe.

Encounter 4 WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponPrimary Target: One creaturePrimary Attack: Strength, Constitution, or Wisdom vs. ACHit: 2[W] + Strength, Constitution, or Wisdom modifier

damage, and the target is slowed and marked by youuntil the end of your next turn.

Effect: You shift 2 squares and make a secondary attack.Secondary Target: One creature other than the

primary targetSecondary Attack: Strength, Constitution, or Wisdom

vs. ACHit 2[W] + Strength, Constitution, or Wisdom modifier

damage, and the target is slowed and marked by youuntil the end of your next turn.

Sudden Strength Mul Battle Slave Utility 1 2

You exert all the power ofyour mightyframe.

EncounterFree Action PersonalSpecial: You can use this power only on your turn.Effect Until the end of your next turn, you gain a +5

power bonus to Strength checks and Athletics checks,and your successful attacks also push the target 1 square.

Made of Iron Mul Battle Slave Attack 20

You shrug offattacks; pain only makes you stronger.

Daily 4 Stance, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponEffect: You can assume the iron body stance. Until this

stance ends, you have resist 5 to all damage.Target One creatureAttack: Strength, Constitution, or Wisdom vs. ACHit 3[W] + Strength, Constitution, or Wisdom modifier

damage, and if you assume the iron body stance, youmark the target until the stance ends.

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THRI-KREEN PREDATOR“My clutchmates and I, we learned to hunt to survive. Inthese days, I hunt those who speak and think. But I must doso,for I must survive.”

Prerequisite: Thri-kreen

Some thri-kreen fully hone their natural physiology,turning their bodies into weapons deadlier than thegythka. They strengthen their extra arms for makingclaw attacks, practice graceful jumps with their powerful legs, and augment their natural venom so it ispotent enough to take down tough prey. Because oftheir battle prowess, these kreen often become thestrongest members of their packs. It is the thri-kreenway to challenge weaker leaders, and the greatesthunters rise to positions of leadership.

As you grow into the role of thri-kreen predator,you become larger and tougher, with thicker chitinousplates and stronger limbs. Along with these physicalchanges, your instincts and racial memories becomemore acute. You sense the long lineage of the kreen,and you understand the great hunts ofthe past and thelong-forgotten tactics that enabled your race to survivethe most dangerous periods ofAthasian history.

For some thri-kreen, these changes are natural—ahereditary gift. Others use psionic powers or martialtraining to strengthen themselves. Some find thepredator’s path after being exposed to sites or objectsof power that stirred deep racial memories. No matterwhat triggered your transformation, you have becomea predator among predators.

THRI-KREEN PREDATOR POWERS

Capturing Claws Thri-Kreen Predator Attack 11

You snag yourfoe with one ofyour claws and rend the enemywith your weaker claws as long as it remains in your grasp.

EncounterStandard Action Melee touchTarget: One creatureAttack: Strength, Constitution, or Dexterity + 6 vs. Fortitude

or ReflexLevel2I: Strength, Constitution, or Dexterity + 9 vs.

Fortitude or ReflexHit 3d8 + Strength, Constitution, or Dexterity modifier

damage, and you grab the target. Until the grab ends, thetarget takes 5 damage at the start of each of its turns.

Special: While grabbing the target, you can use a moveaction to move half your speed and pull the target with you.

Insect’s Spring Thri-Kreen Predator Utility 1 2

You suddenly leap across the battlefield, moving too quicklyforyour enemies to react.

EncounterMinor Action PersonalEffect: You make an Athletics check to jump. This jump

does not provoke opportunity attacks.

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Paralyzing Bite Thri-Kreen Predator Attack 20

In the adrenaline rush ofcombat, your mandiblesfill with atoxin that paralyzes afoe that you bite.

Daily + Poison, ReliableStandard Action Melee 1Target: One creatureAttack: Strength, Constitution, or Dexterity + 9 vs. FortitudeHit: 2d6 + Strength, Constitution, or Dexterity modifier

poison damage, and the target is stunned until the endof your next turn. The target also takes ongoing S poisondamage (save ends).

THRI-KREEN PREDATOR PATHFEATURES

Strong Claws (11th level): You gain a climbspeed equal to halfyour speed. You also gain a +2bonus to damage rolls with your thri-kreen claws racialpower.

Leap into Action (11th level): When you spendan action point to take an extra action, you can makean Athletics check to jump as a free action eitherbefore or after your extra action. This jump does notprovoke opportunity attacks.

Entrapping Pack (16th level): You flank anenemy as long as both you and a nonadjacent ally areadjacent to the enemy.

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CHAPTER 2 Races of Athas33

CHAPTER 3~.—~

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“Noble, slave, templar, merchant—all are menaced by thesorcerer kings. Ifwe are to have any hand in throwing offthe shackles of tyranny, we must not turn on each otherfirst.”

—Nor Tyrian gladiator and revolutionary

This chapter introduces a new option for characterbuilding: your character’s theme. A theme is a career,calling, or archetype that might include charactersof several different classes and roles. Just as race andclass help to identify who your character is in theworld, theme adds a third character component tohelp refine your story and identity. You might be anelf rogue, but are you an elf rogue dune trader, anelf rogue nomad, or an elf rogue who spies for theVeiled Alliance? Each theme offers a different storyfor the same basic character concept. If a backgrounddescribes how or where your character grew up, atheme describes how and why your character becamea hero.

A theme embraces characters of almost any class.For example, many templar characters are warlocks,but a templar who serves chiefly as a commander ofthe sorcerer-king’s troops might be better describedby the warlord class, whereas a templar who is partof the sorcerer-king’s secret police could easily be arogue. Similarly, gladiator characters are often fighters—but barbarians, battleminds, rangers, rogues,and warlords can be just as successful in the arenaas a fighter can be. “Templar” and “gladiator” aretherefore themes that extend beyond the warlockand fighter classes, even though they’re particularlyappropriate for warlocks and fighters respectively.

This chapter covers the following topics.

+ The basics of character themes, including rules forchoosing your theme and how themes work.

+ Ten character themes for a DARK SUN campaignfrom Athasian minstrels to wilders, each includinga granted power and a number of theme powers.

Two paragon paths for each theme, includingpaths such as the caravan master, jaszt dancer,rainbringer, and veiled guardian.

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CHOOSiNG A THENEYou can have only one theme. To select a theme, allyou have to do is choose one at the time you createyour character. You don’t have to select a theme ifyoudon’t want to.

Once you select a theme, it grants you the following benefits:

+ You automatically gain the theme’s granted power.+ You can choose to take additional theme powers

when you reach the appropriate level.4 You unlock feats or paragon paths that use the

theme as a prerequisite.

The themes presented in this chapter aresummarized below.

Theme Description

GAINING ANDUSING I EMESChoosing a theme provides you with a number ofnew options.

GRANTED POWEREach theme includes a power (usually an attackpower) associated with it. You gain that power whenyou select the theme.

THEME POWERSTheme powers are added to the list ofpowers you canchoose from as you gain levels. Whenever you reach alevel that grants you a power from your class, you canchoose a theme power in place of a class power. Thetheme power you choose must be of the same level asor lower in level than the class power you would havegained. For example, ifyou have just attained 3rdlevel as a fighter with the wasteland nomad theme,you can choose a level 3 fighter power or a level 3wasteland nomad power.

You cannot choose a theme attack power in placeof a class attack power ifyou have no other classpower of that type. For example, at 13th level you canreplace your level 1 encounter attack power. Ifyouhave no other encounter attack powers of that class

(because you have chosen theme powers at earlierlevels), you can’t choose a theme power at 13th level;you must choose a class power as normal instead.

Ability Scores: Whenever you make an attackwith a theme power, you use the modifier for yourhighest ability score when making the attack. So,for example, ifStrength is your highest ability score,when a power says, “Primary ability vs. AC,” youmake a Strength vs. AC attack. Most powers of thiskind express damage or effects in the form of”3 [WI+ ability modifier damage” or “shift a number ofsquares equal to 1 + your ability modifier.” In such acase, use the modifier for the same ability you used tomake the attack.

Implements: Theme powers that have the implement keyword can be used with any implement youare proficient with, regardless of class. Ifyou aren’tproficient with any implements, you can still use thepower you just won’t be able to add an implement’senhancement bonus or properties to the power.

Higher-Level Versions: All theme attack powershave higher-level versions built into them. To use ahigher-level version of a power, you must replace thelower-level power with the higher-level version whenyou reach the appropriate level. For instance, ifyouhave a level 3 theme power, it includes an entry for alevel 13 version. Ifyou choose to replace the level 3power with the level 13 version, you have the samepower but it now uses the particulars for the level13 version. Your theme powers don’t automaticallyimprove because you reach the level at which thereplacement becomes possible.

Retraining: You can use retraining to replacea class power with a theme power or vice versa,exchanging one at-will attack power, encounterattack power, daily attack power, or utility power foranother power of the same type. The new power mustbe of the same level as or lower in level than the oldpower a level 5 daily attack power for a level 5 or

NOT PROFICiENTIN AN IMPLEMENT?

Don’t rule out themes that rely on implements for yourweapon-using character. First of all, you can gain proficiency in an implement by choosing a feat that grantsan implement (some multiclass feats do this). Second,your Dungeon Master might use a version of the fixedenhancement bonus rules introduced in Dungeon Master’sGuide 2 for a DARK SUN campaign. Under these rules, acharacter without an implement still gains an enhancement bonus to implement attacks. Since theme powersuse the modifier for your best ability score, your attackswith those theme powers won’t be much less effectivethan your normal best attack.

Athasian minstrelDune traderElemental priestGladiatorE~adeptPrimal guardianTemplarVi1&IJ AllianceWasteland nomadWilder

Entertainer, advisor, or assassinAgent of the merchant housesWorshiper of the primal elementsWarrior forged in the arenaPrivileged and tutored in the WayProtector of oases and forestsAgent of a sorcerer-kingSecret practitioner of magicRaider or scout of the desertHero gifted with psionic talent


lower daily attack power, for example, or a level 10utility power for a different level 10 or lower utilitypower. You can also replace a theme power with adifferent power of the same theme, as long as the newpower is lower in level then the old one.

You cannot replace a class attack power if doing sowould leave you with no attack powers of that class.

FEATS AND PARAGON PATHSThemes often act as prerequisites for feats, just asclasses and races do. (See Chapter 4 for feats associated with themes.) Many feats that have themes asprerequisites help tailor that theme to work better forcertain classes or races.

Each of the themes presented in this book includestwo paragon paths. To choose one of a theme’s paragon paths, you must also meet any other prerequisitesof the paragon path. Many of the themed paragonpaths also use “Primary ability vs. AC” for their attackpowers, as described above.

CHANGING THEMESYour character might discover a different calling atsome point in his or her career and wish to changeone theme for another. Ifyou have no powers or featsthat use your theme as a prerequisite other than thetheme’s granted power, you can retrain your themechoice when you gain a level, losing your first theme’sgranted power and gaining the new one’s grantedpower. Ifyou have feats or powers that require yourexisting theme, you must first retrain those feats or

powers to choices that don’t have your theme as aprerequisite. Then you can change your theme byretraining at the next opportunity.

USING THEMES TOCREATE C ARACTERSThemes offer a wide array of character creation tools.You might choose a class that is strongly identifiedwith the theme already, and reinforce your character’s role with the powers that are available. Forexample, the primal guardian offers a number oftheme powers that work well for defender characters,so ifyou’re playing a fighter or warden, the primalguardian theme powers let you put a new spin onyour role. A warden is already a primal character, buta fighter who becomes a primal guardian learns towield a power source that most fighters never master.

You could also use a theme to take your characterin a new direction, adopting a secondary role yourclass otherwise wouldn’t provide. For example, aninfernal pact warlock who invests in the elementalpriest theme can gain some useful leaderlike powers.This sort ofunusual combination is a natural tool forbuilding the story ofyour character; why would awarlock be an elemental priest? Elemental priests arenormally opposed to defiling, so your warlock is mostlikely a preserver. . . but maybe he’s a defiler tryingto mend his ways, or an elemental priest who hasadopted the ways ofhis enemies to meet fire with fire.

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CHAPTER 3 Character Themes

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ATHAS1AN MiNSTREL“Set aside your caresfor a time, my lords and ladies, andlend an ear to my song. Tomorrow isfor toil and worry;tonight we make revel!”

The minstrels ofAthas are entertainers to the wealthyand powerful elite of the city-states. Singers, acrobats,poets, dancers, and storytellers, minstrels tour thecities ofAthas in troupes or individually, makinga living with their wits and talents. The civilizedpeoples ofAthas have long celebrated minstrels, andby tradition all but the poorest or most suspicious ofhosts are proud to open their doors to traveling performers. Hosting a minstrel or sponsoring a troupe’sperformance reflects well on the host, and mostAthasians are eager to forget their troubles with a fewhours of song and dance. Nobles often send troupes ofminstrels to one another as gifts; it is seen as a greatinsult to refuse such a gift, even when all involvedknow that minstrels are often spies or assassins.

The most skilled (or fortunate) minstrels are highlypaid companions to nobility, trusted advisors or agentswho enjoy the most intimate confidences of theirpatrons. Minstrels are often retained by noble housesto tutor young nobles or teach them about the world.They might serve as bodyguards and fighting instructors at the same time. Minstrels who belong to atroupe lack the comfort and trust bestowed on a keptminstrel, but they enjoy the freedom to travel and theaid of a network of informants and allies throughoutthe Tyr Region. The poorest and most humble minstrels are simple wandering storytellers or jugglerswho perform for their supper from night to night.

Many minstrels have a dark side they concealbeneath their charm and talent. Those with ambitionand ruthlessness find opportunities in the employ ofthe elite classes. Minstrels often lead double lives asblackmailers, thieves, spies, or assassins; a minstrel’svisit or a troupe’s performance might conceal a mission of espionage or murder. They are renowned asmasters ofpoison, concealed weapons, and subtletrickery. Even the humblest wandering minstrel withthreadbare cloak and battered lyre might be morethan he or she seems there’s no better spy thansomeone who seems harmless and is welcome wherever he or she goes.

BUILDING ANATHAS1AN MiNSTRELAll minstrels are skilled performers or artists. Naturally, many are bards. However, you might be anassassin or a rogue who conceals your true talentswith dancing or juggling, a battlemind specializingin tricks of the mind, or even a fighter or a warlord


whose musical ability is secondary to your talent forteaching young nobles how to look after themselves.

ATHASIAN MINSTREL TRAITSSecondary Role: StrikerPower Source: MartialGranted Power: You gain the poisoned strike power.

AT ASiANMINSTREL OWERSThe following powers are available to any characterwho has chosen the Athasian minstrel theme.

Poisoned Strike Athasian Minstrel Feature

You splash afew drops ofpoison on your weaponfrom a vial atyour belt, and slash atyourfoe. The pain can bring your targetto its knees.

Encounter 4 Martial, Poison, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 1 [WI damage plus 5 poison damage. Until the end of

your next turn, if the target willingly moves more than 2squares or makes an attack, it then falls prone, and it isimmobilized until the end of its next turn.Level 11: 2[Wl damage plus 5 poison damage.Level2l: 3[Wl damage plus 5 poison damage.

LEVEL. 2 UTIUTV ExPL.olT

Concealed Weapon Athasian Minstrel Utility 2

You have learned how to keep a weapon completely hiddenfrom searching eyes.

Encounter 4 MartialMinor Action PersonalTarget: One weapon you’re holdingEffect: The weapon is invisible until you are no longer

holding it, until the end of the encounter, or until youattack with it. The first creature you attack with a weapon affected by this power grants combat advantage toyou for that attack.

LEVEL. 3 ENCOUNTER ExPL.olT

Fever Poison Athasian Minstrel Attack 3

You draw a hidden vial and sprinkle its contents on yourweaponjust before attacking. This poison disorientsyourfoe.

Encounter 4 Martial, Poison, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 2[Wl damage plus 5 poison damage. Until the end of

your next turn, if the target willingly moves more than 2squares or makes an attack, it is dazed until the end of itsnext turn.

Levell3Hit: As above, but 3[W] damage plus 5 poison damage.

Level 23Hit: As above, but 4[W] damage plus 5 poison damage.

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LEVEL 5 DAILY EXPLOIT

Draining Poison Athasian Minstrel Attack 5

A splashfrom a tins i~l iJa,ts your weapon with a lethalvenom that cripples the target with cramping muscles.

Daily + Martial, Poison, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 2[~j damage, and ongoIng 5 poison damage (save

ends). The first tirn’e.the target takes the ongoing poisondamage, it takes a -4 penalty to its next saving throwagainst the ongoing damage. The target is also sloweduntil the start ofits next turn.

Levell5Hit: As above, but 2[WI damage plus S poison damage,

and ongoing 5 poison damage (save ends).Level 25

Hit: As above, but 2[W] damage plus 10 poison damage,and ongoing 5 poison damage (save ends).

LEVEL 6 UTiLITY EXPLOiT

Envenomed Weapon Athasian Minstrel Utility 6

You smear prepared poison ónyour weapon to erode yourenemy’s stamina. -.

Encounter + MartialMinor Action Melee touchTarget: One weapon you’re wieldingEffect: The néxt.creatur~ hit by a meleeattack using this

weapon before the end df Ihe encounter gains vulnerable5 poison until the enU of~your next turn.

LEVEL 7 ENCOUNTER EXPLOIT

Crystal Spider Poison Athasian Minstrel Attack 7

You splash afrw drops of a debilitating poison on your bladebefore striking. The poison briefly weakens yourfoe.

Encounter + Martial, Poison, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 2[W] damage plus 5 poison damage. Until the end of

your next turn, if the target willingly moves more than 2squares or makes an attack, it is weakened until the endof its next turn.

Levell7Hit: As above, but 3[W] damage plus 5 poison damage.

Level 27Hit As above, but 4[Wj damage plus 5 poison damage.


Insidious Poison Athasian Minstrel Attack 9

You envenom your weapon~with ‘a lethal poison that isexceptionally d~fficult’to shake off Few survive its touch.

Daily + Martial, Poison, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 2[W] + ability modifier d~ma’ge, and ongoing 5 poison

damage (save ends). The first time the target takes theongoing poisorndamage,~the targétcannot make a savingthrow against the ongdingpoison damage on its turn.

Level 19Hit: As above, but 2[W1 + ability modifier damage

plus 5 poison damage, and ongoing 5 poison damage(save ends).

Level 29Hit: As above, bui~2[W] +~abilit3imodifier damage

plus 10 poison darnage,and’ongoing 5 poison damage(save ends). : ‘

LEVEL 10 UTILITY EXPLOIT

Framing Assassin Athasian Minstrel Utility 10

You have mastered afighting technique in which you lungesw~ftly toward one op~ponent to strike at otherfoes behind it.

Daily + Martial, StanceMinor Action PersonalEffect You assume the staice of the framing assassin. Until

the stance ends, you can use a square adjacent to youthat is occupied by an enemy as the origin square foryour weapon attacks.

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ARMS-TROUBADO R“Artistry can befound in anything, young lord—especiallyswordp1ay. My earnest advice is to do nothing thatyoucannot do well.”

Prerequisite: Athasian minstrel theme

Throughout the Seven Cities of the Tyr Region, noblessurround themselves with retainers ofgood education, charming manners, and mastery of the arts.Many of these kept artists are just fops or decoration,but some are more than entertaining companionsthey are skilled duelists and treasured advisors,deadly warriors never more than a few steps fromtheir patron’s side. In addition to beautifying thenoble household with poetry and song, troubadoursof this sort often serve as arms instructors to youngnobles and elite bodyguards.

Arms-troubadours are typically well educated,literate, skilled in an instrument or two, noteworthy poets, and equipped with aristocratic manners

and refinement. Some begin as minor nobility attending wealthier and more importantnobles; others are descended from well-offmerchants or commoners who set out tomaster the courtier’s skills and seek noble

patronage.- As an arms-troubadour, you might

have a patron whose interests youlook after during your adventures,

or you could be between patrons.~ If so, given your fame and skill,

\ your services might be very‘~ highly sought-after.

ARMS-TROUBADOURPATH FEATURES

Skillful Action (11thlevel): When you spend

an action point to take anextra action, you gain

a +5 power bonus toany skill checks you

make as a part ofthat action.Uncanny Grace

(11th level): Whenever an enemy misses you

with a melee weapon attack ora close weapon attack, you gaincombat advantage against thatenemy until the end ofyournext turn.

Clever Footwork (16th level): Whenever youmake an Athletics, Acrobatics, or Stealth check, youroll twice and use either result.

Also, you never incur failures in a skill challengefor Athletics, Acrobatics, or Stealth checks you fail by5 or less.

ARMS-TROUBADOUR EXPLOITS

Elegant Blade Arms Troubadour Attack 11

A well aimed blow briefly confoundsyour enemy as you easilyslip into a better position.

Encounter + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponRequirement: You must be wielding a light blade or a heavy

blade and use it to attack with this power.Target: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ReflexHit: 3[W] + ability mod[fier damage, and you shift 3

squares. Until the end of your next turn, you can makethe following attack against the target.Immediate InterruptTrigger: The target willingly moves to a square that is not

adjacent to you or makes an attack.Attack: Primary ability vs. ACHit You slide the target 3 squares, and you shift 3 squares

as a free action.

Deadly Deflection Arms-Troubadour Utility 1 2

With expert timing,you deflect an enemy’s attack so that itmisses you or your ally and tar8ets anotherfoe instead.

Daily + MartialImmediate Interrupt Melee 1Trigger: An enemy adjacent to you targets you or an ally

with a melee attack.Target: The triggering enemyEffect: Choose a different creature within the target’s

reach. The target now attacks that creature instead.

Poetic Flourish Arms-Troubadour Attack 20

You perform a striking flourish after a successful attack andinspire your allies with a defiant swipe.

Daily + Martial, Stance, WeaponFree Action Melee wea~onRequirement: You must be wielding a light blade or a heavy

blade and use it to attack with this power.Trigger: You hit a creature and deal damage to it with an

at-will melee weapon attack.Target: The creature you hitEffect: You deal 2[~l extra damage, and the target is

dazed (save ends). In addition, you can assume the stanceof the arms-troubadour. Until the stance ends, you canmake the following attack.Free Action Close burst 3Trigger: You hit with a melee weapon attack.Target: Each ally in burstEffect: Until the end of your next turn, the target can

reroll one damage die, using either result, each time heor she hits an enemy with an attack.


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UNWELCO F GUEST“V~/ouldyou deny shelter to a simple entertainer?”

Prerequisite: Athasian minstrel theme

People in the Tyr Region learn not to trust a performer blindly. An ordinary minstrel, a gracefuldancer, or a honey-voiced singer might well be a killersent by a bitter rival. Custom demands, however,that no entertainer be refused entry. The householdshould welcome such a guest regardless of any suspicions. Nevertheless, paranoid nobles might turn awayone of these entertainers for fear ofpoison in theirdrink or a knife in their back.

Those who refuse entry to a performer do so at riskto themselves. Even if the new arrival did not havemalicious intent, a refusal is an insult few performerscan bear, and such an affront makes enemies wherethere were none before.

An unwelcome guest is a talented entertainerwho uses his or her performer’s status to infiltrate atarget’s house and get close enough to make the kill.Unwelcome guests master the use of poisons, hidingvenoms and toxins about their persons for easy accesswhen the opportunity to kill presents itself. Someunwelcome guests work alone, but many claim membership in an entertainer’s troupe, an organizationoften rife with murderers, thieves, and saboteurs.Bards make the best unwelcome guests, but rogues,fighters, and assassins might find something in thispath for themselves as well.

UNWELCOME GUEST PATH FEATURESCondemning Action (11th level): When you

spend an action point to make an attack, each targetyou hit with that attack is immobilized and grantscombat advantage until the end ofyour next turn.

Duplicitous Nature (11th level): You gain theAlchemist feat (Adventurer’s Vault, page 21) as a bonusfeat. You also gain a book containing the formula forbloodstinger poison (Adventurer’s Vault, page 26) andtwo other formulas ofyour level or lower. At 21st level,you can add two additional formulas to your book.

Also, whenever you make a Bluff, Stealth or Thievery check, you roll two dice and use either result.

FoolproofPoison (16th level): Your Athasin minstrel and unwelcome guest powers that deal poisondamage now deal acid and poison damage.

UNWELCOME GUEST EXPLOiTS

Noxious Strike Unwelcome Guest Attack 11

A light wound belies the virulent poison youjust introducedinto the target’s system.

Encounter + Martial, Poison, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit 1 [W] + ability modifier damage pIus 5 poison damage.

Until the end of your next turn, if the target willinglymoves more than 2 squares or makes an attack, it is subject to one of the following effects: The target takes 2d1 0poison damage; the target takes 1 dl 0 poison damageand is immobilized until the end of your next turn; or thetarget takes 1 dl 0 poison damage and is dazed until theend of your next turn.

Pernicious Poison Unwelcome Guest Utility 12

The vile substance you apply to your weapon muddles yourenemy’s senses and keeps it weakfor the killing strike to follow.

Daily + Martial, PoisonMinor Action Melee touchTarget One weapon you’re wieldingEffect: Before the end of the encounter, the next creature

hit by a melee attack using this weapon becomesweakened until the end of your next turn. That creatureis also dazed (save ends).

Burning Venom Unwelcome Guest Attack 20

The special recipe drippingfromyour weapon burns thefleshas it works quickly to kill yourfoe.

Daily 4 Martial, Poison, Reliable, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 2[Wj + ability modifier damage, and ongoing 1 5

poison damage (save ends). In addition, the target losesany immunity or resistance to poison until the end of theencounter.

CHAPTER 3 Character Themes41

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DUNE TRADER“I’ve crossed the Tablelands, survived the Ivory Triangle,slipped awayfrom Hamanu’s haIfgiant thugs, and soldsand to a tarek. I’ve seen it all, and there isn’t much left thatcan surprise me.”

Dune traders roam every civilized corner of theknown world. From crowded marketplaces crawlingwith thieves, to caravans wending across difficultwastes, to the isolated settlements and trading postsfound in the places between the great city-states,dune traders are everywhere, pushing their wares onanyone they encounter. Dune traders bring neededgoods to remote areas, offering water, food, arms, andmore, but their work is not charity. Such offeringscome at the highest prices a merchant can ask andstill be able to move the merchandise. It’s all aboutmaking a profit, and no one does a better job at looking out for themselves and their wealth than the dunetraders ofAthas.

Many small traders and merchant cabals exist, butthey pale next to the dynastic houses that dominatetrade across the Tyr Region. These houses are nationsunto themselves, sworn to no sorcerer-king but alliedwith all. They field their own armies, hold theirown lands, and take an active part in political andsocial developments affecting the region. A merchanthouse’s leadership might rest in one family’s hands,but these houses readily accept new members, alwayslooking for new talent to bolster their presence andinfluence in the Tyr Region. Regardless of the position sought, candidates must swear several oaths tothe house leaders. In exchange, a candidate receivesprotection, status, and regular pay. The particularoaths vary from house to house, but the following arecommon to them all.4 Forsake any citizenship or membership in a city-

state or tribe.4 Swear allegiance to the merchant house.4 Always act in the merchant house’s best interest.4 Deal honestly with stranger, friend, and foe.4 Flaunt no wealth gained through employment by

the house.4 Uphold the local laws and always act in accor

dance with them.4 Protect your own, lending help to merchants in

need and refusing to deal with those who unjustlyimprison or harass any merchant.

In contrast to the great dynastic houses of the citystates, elven merchant tribes are small and mobile.They do not enjoy the peaceful relations enjoyed bythe dynastic houses and, for this reason, they are notbeholden to any oaths or promises. They foist offjunk,deal in contraband, and sometimes resort to base


robbery if given sufficient cause. Elven houses tend tobe tribal in structure, but they are as widespread andas dangerous as any human organization.

BUILDING A DUNE TRADERThe merchant houses populating the Tyr Region welcome anyone with talent into their fold. Rogues andbards have the most to offer merchant houses, sincethey have the abilities most useful for negotiating andbargaining in the marketplaces. Warlords are excellent caravan leaders, and psionically gifted charactersuse their subtle arts to ferret out secrets and gainthe upper hand over rival houses. Finally, merchanthouses frequently recruit muscle such as fighters,wardens, and barbarians to ensure that caravansarrive at their destinations.

DUNE TRADER TRAITSSecondary Role: LeaderPower Source: MartialGranted Power: You gain the quick formation power.

DUNE TRADER POWERSThe following powers are available to any characterwho has chosen the dune trader theme.

Quick Formation Dune Trader Feature

You lash out atyour enemies and move your allies into adefensible position.

Encounter 4 Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 1 [W] + ability modifier damage, and either you shift 4

squares, or each ally within 5 squares of you can shift 2squares as a free action.Level 11: 2[W] + ability modifier damage.Level 21: 3[W] + ability modifier damage.

LEVEL 2 UTILITY ExPI.oIT

Slick Negotiator Dune Trader Utility 2

You don’t let a gaffe sabotage your negotiation, moving on asif the misstep never occurred.

Encounter 4 MartialFree Action Close burst 5Trigger: You or an ally in burst makes a Bluff, Diplomacy,

Intimidate, or Streetwise check and dislikes the result.Target: The triggering creatureEffect: If you are the target, you gain a +3 power bonus to

the skill check. If an ally is the target, the ally can rerollthe skill check, using either result.

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A painful hit against your opponent helps you make goodyour escape.

Encounter + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponTarget One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 2[W] + ability modifier damage, and the target is

slowed until the end of your next turn.Effect: Either you shift your speed, or each ally within 2

squares of you can shift half his or her speed as a freeaction.

Level 13Hit As above, but 3[W1 + ability modifier damage.

Level 23Hit: As above, but 4[W] + ability modifier damage.

Blunt Force Strike Dune Trader Attack 5

Your weapon strikes with a satisfying crunch, leaving youropponent unableto defend itself

Daily + Martial, Reliable, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponTarget One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit 2[WI + ability modTfier damage, and the target is

dazed (save ends). In addition, either you make a basicattack against the target, or two allies within 5 squares ofyou can each make a basic attack against different creatures (but not against the target) as a free action.

Levell5Hit: As above, but 3[W] + ability modifier damage.

Level 25Hit As above, but 4[W] + ability modifier damage.

LEVEL 6 UTIuTV ExPI.0IT

Deft Avoidance Dune Trader Utility 6

You duck out of the way, slipping to where you can best landyour next attack.

Encounter + MartialImmediate Reaction Close burst 2Trigger: An enemy in burst you can see misses you with a

melee attack.Target: The triggering enemyEffect: The target grants combat advantage until the end

of its next turn. In addition, either you can shift 2squares, or each ally in the burst can shift 1 square as afree action.

Melee or Ranged weapon

LEVEL 10 UT1UTY ExPLOiT

Command Decision Dune Trader Utility 10

As your enemy’s blade comes down, you areforced to decideyour life, or that ofyour ally?

Encounter 4- MartialImmediate Interrupt Close burst 1Trigger: You are hit by an attack.Target: You or one ally in burstEffect: If you are the target, you lose a healing surge

and gain temporary hit points equal to your healingsurge value. If an ally is the target, that ally is hit by thetriggering attack instead of you.


LEVEL 3 ENCOUNTER ExPLOiT

Delaying_Strike Dune Trader Attack 3

LEVEL 7 ENCOUNTER EXPLOIT

Sly Gambit Dune Trader Attack 7IIJJzD

LEVEL 5 DAiLY EXPLOIT

Your quick strike lures your enemy into a rash counterattack.

Encounter 4 Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit 1 [WI + ability modifier damage, and the target makes

a melee basic attack against a creature of your choice asa free action. Until the end of your next turn, either yougain a +4 power bonus to AC, or the target provokes opportunity attacks when shifting or making melee attacks.


Level 27Hit As above, but 3~WI + ability modifier damage.

LEVEL 9 DAiLY ExPLoiT

Hounding Presence Dune Trader Attack 9

You step in close to your enemy to land your attack but stay inmotion, using its proximity to your advantage.

Daily + Martial, WeaponStandard ActionTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit 2[W] + ability modifier damage, and the target cannot

shift (save ends).Miss: Half damage.Effect Until the end of the encounter, while you are adja

cent to the target either you gain a +4 power bonus to alldefenses, or the target grants combat advantage.

Level 19Hit: As above, but 3[W] + ability modifier damage.


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CARAVAN MASTER“Raiders? We stand to make a killing ~fwe can get ourkank nectar to Tyr before the Vordons bring in theirs. Ihaven’t got timefor raiders!”

Prerequisite: Dune trader theme

Caravans are the vital links in the chains of commerce binding outposts of civilization together acrossthe wild wastelands ofAthas. They come in manydifferent forms—long files of slave porters, pack trainsofheavily laden crodlus and kanks, wagons drawn bysnorting mixes, and of course the towering mekillotdrawn wagons that are wooden fortresses on wheels.Regardless of the beasts ofburden or the goods carried, caravans are crucial to maintaining Athasiancivilization. Not only do they carry valuable goods,they also carry rumors and tales of doings all acrossthe Tyr Region to people thirsty for news of otherplaces, provide travelers with the opportunity to surround themselves with the safety ofnumbers, andfeed scores of desert outposts and settlements with asteady stream of supplies.

Leading a successful caravan is no mean feat. Perilin a hundred guises waits in the desert—hungry monsters, savage raiders, ruthless competitors, scourgingsandstorms, unreliable wells, mutinous drivers, andthe possibility that the caravan’s goods, if they reachmarket, turn out to be worth less than one paid forthem. A caravan master might have to lead the caravan’s guards and drivers in battle, search out a new

44

path when a familiar road becomes buried in theshifting sands, bribe greedy officials, or enforce brutaldiscipline on a rebellious underling. It takes a rarecombination ofcharacter judgment, business acumen,and physical courage—attributes you have cultivatedfor years. On the open desert, you are the master ofyour fate, and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

CARAVAN MASTER PATH FEATURESRoad-Hardened (11th level): You gain a +1

bonus to speed. Each ally that starts his or her turnwithin 5 squares ofyou gains a +1 power bonus tospeed until the end of his or her turn.

Master’s Action (11th level): When you spendan action point to take an extra action, you gain a +2power bonus to all defenses until the end ofyour nextturn. In addition, you or one ally within 5 squares ofyou can make a saving throw.

Sharp Customer (16th level): Whenever youmake an Insight check or a Perception check, you rolltwo dice and use either result. Also, you never grantcombat advantage by being flanked.

CARAVAN MASTER EXPLOITS

Desert Skirmish Caravan Master Attack 11

You directyour allies toform a hasty skirmish line,foiling yourenemies’ advancefor a moment.

Encounter + MartialStandard Action Close burst 5Target: You and one ally in burst, or two allies in burstEffect: As a free action, the target can shift 2 squares

and make a basic attack against an enemy of his or herchoice. Until the start of your next turn, any enemy thatwillingly moves to a square adjacent to the target muststop moving.

Merchant’s Strategy Caravan Master Utility 1 2

You do not allow others to set the terms ofyour defrnse,ensuring thatyou and your comrades arefree to act as needed.

Encounter + MartialMinor Action Close burst 5Target: You and one ally in burstEffect: If the target is marked, the marked condition ends.

Until the end of your next turn, the target does not grantcombat advantage.

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Fighting Retreat Caravan Master Attack 20

You make an attack to hobble an enemy, then direct your alliestofall back in afighting retreat.

Daily + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 2[W] + ability modifier damage, and the target is

slowed (save ends)Effect: Either you and each ally within 5 squares of you can

shift his or her speed as a free action, or you and one allywithin 5 squares of you can shift 2 squares and make abasic attack against different targets as a free action.

44 i~s~ -


SHADY DEALER“Honest merchants are as rare as water.”

Prerequisite: Dune trader theme

A merchant house has power and influence, soldiersand workers, but everything the house is dependson its representatives’ efforts. The shady dealerrepresents one breed of dune trader, a skilled andtreacherous agent specializing in intrigue and manipulation. Some shady dealers work as independentspeculators, and others act on a larger house’s behalf.They still travel as dune traders, shepherding goodsto places in need, but they always have an ulteriormotive, seeking some rumor or bit of gossip to benefitthemselves or their house.

The image you cultivate masks a devious mind anda propensity for doing whatever you must to survive.Your skills at negotiation and intrigue serve you well;they let you confuse enemies and lure them into trapswhere your allies can strike. In time, your words andmovements make fools of everyone you meet.

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SHADY DEALER PATH FEATURESWell Traveled (11th level): Whenever you make

a Bluff, Diplomacy or Streetwise check, you roll twodice and use either result.

In addition, choose two languages. You can nowspeak, read, and write those languages. At 21st level,you can choose two more languages.

Swindling Action (11th level): When you spendan action point to take an extra action, that extraaction does not provoke opportunity attacks.

Skilled Negotiator (16th level): You never incurfailures in a skill challenge for Bluff, Diplomacy, orStreetwise checks you fail by 5 or less.

SHADY DEALER ExPLoiTs

Rope the Mark Shady Dealer Attack 11

Making yourself appear vulnerable lures your enemyinto danger.

Encounter + Charm, MartialStandard Action Ranged 5Effect: Before the attack, you shift 1 square to a square not

adjacent to any enemies.Target: One creature that can see and hear youAttack: Primary ability ± 6 (9 at 21st level) vs. WillHit: You pull the target 5 squares. In addition, choose one

of the following effects: Either you make an at-will melee attack with combat advantage against the target, orone or two of your allies can make ranged basic attacksagainst the target as free actions.

Convincing Deception Shady Dealer Utility 12

You spew a stream ofprattle to give your allies the openingthey need.

Encounter + MartialStandard Action Close burst 5Target: One enemy in burst you can seeEffect: The target grants combat advantage to one ally in

the burst until the end of your next turn. In addition, adifferent ally in the burst can shift 3 squares to a squareadjacent to the target as a free action.

Unwitting AllyCareful manipulation and patience turns an enemy intoyour dupe.Daily + Charm, Martial, ReliableStandard Action Ranged 5Target: One enemy that can see and hear youAttack: Primary ability + 9 vs. WillHit The target is dominated (save ends). Until the end of

the encounter, the target takes a -4 penalty to attackrolls against you and your allies, and the target countsas one of your allies for the purpose of flanking with youor your allies. In addition, until the end of the encounteryou can make the following attack against the target.Standard Action Ranged 5Attack: Primary ability + 9 vs. WillHit: The target makes an attack as a free action against

an enemy adjacent to it with an at-will attack power ofyour choice.


Shady Dealer Attack 20

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ELEMENTAL PRiEST“I hold the wrath offire in my grasp, the endurance ofrockin my shoulders. None can outlast me in battle.”

The gods ofAthas are little more than half-remembered myths, but many of those who live beneath thecrimson sun give their devotion and worship to otherpowers. Some worship sorcerer-kings who claim tobe divine, or the false deities some kings purport toserve. Some worship demons or primordials—malevolent patrons that frequently demand terrible ritesor acts of sacrifice. But most Athasians venerate theliving elements as they manifest in the world.

Elemental priests are those who serve these sullenand fierce spirits. They have a special kinship withthe primal elements, a connection so close it’s as ifthey stand in two worlds: that of mortals, and that ofraw elemental power.

Many elemental priests revere the nameless, formless principle ofall living elements together, makingno distinction between one manifestation overanother. However, others give themselves to morespecific examples of elemental power. For example,the Smoking Crown is home to dwarfpriests whoserve the spirit of the volcano, whereas the mountainknown as An-Bezzumar, the Crown of Heaven, issacred to goliath wind shamans. The wandering thrikreen mystics known as the Rainspeakers veneratethe rare, blessed showers that fall a few times eachyear during the cooler months and often make pilgrimages to places where rain is soon to fall.

Many heroic elemental priests are leaders ofthe village and wasteland folk and enemies of thesorcerer-kings and their templars. Some elementalpriests instead follow a monastic or ascetic traditioninstead of the more common tribal or village traditions of elemental worship.

BUILDING ANELEMENTAL RIESTElemental priests include wandering healers, madhermits, secretive cultists, and grim warriors—anycharacter who venerates the elemental spirits ofAthas might become an elemental priest. Desert-dwelling dwarves, elves, goliaths, and humansbecome elemental priests to gain access to a fewprimal powers, and they identify themselves asservants of the desert spirits. Druids and sorcererschoose this theme to gain powers of healing and protection. Finally, many animist shamans are elementalpriests, and they add the potent conjurations of thistheme to their own powers.


ELEMENTAL PRIEST TRAITSSecondary Role: LeaderPower Source: PrimalGranted Power: You gain the spirit ofAthas power.

ELEMENTAL PRIEST POWERSThe following powers are available to any characterwho has chosen the elemental priest theme.

Spirit of Athas Elemental Priest Feature

A spirit appears, defending you and your allies with its body.

Encounter + Conjuration, Implement, PrimalMinor Action Ranged SEffect: You conjure a spirit of Athas. You and your allies gain

a +1 power bonus to all defenses while adjacent to it. Asa standard action, you can dismiss the spirit and make thefollowing melee 1 attack from the spirit’s square.Target One enemyAttack: Primary ability vs. ReflexHit: 1 dl 0 + ability modifier damage, and the target takes

a -2 penalty to attack rolls and all defenses until theend of your next turn.

Level II: 2d1 0 + ability modifier damage.Level2l: 3d1 0 + ability modifier damage.

LEVEL. 2 UTILITY EvocATioN

Scion of Stone Elemental Priest Utility 2

The ground trembles as a misshapenhulkformsfrom rocksand dirt to shelter your companionsfrom harm.

Daily + Conjuration, PrimalMinorAction Ranged 5Effect: You conjure a scion of stone that lasts until the end

of the encounter. You and your allies gain a +1 powerbonus to all defenses while adjacent to it. As a minoraction, you can dismiss it to grant you and each allyadjacent to it temporary hit points equal to S + one-halfyour level.

LEVEL 3 ENCOUNTER EvocATioN

Bloodthirsty Elemental Elemental Priest Attack 3

A spirit made ofbones, blood, and sand savages your enemy.

Encounter + Conjuration, Implement, PrimalMinor Action Ranged 5Effect: You conjure a bloodthirsty elemental that lasts until

the end of your next turn. Enemies grant combat advantagewhile adjacent to it. As a standard action, you can dismiss itand make a close burst 1 attack centered on its square.Target Each enemy in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. ReflexHit 1 dl 0 + ability modifier damage, and the target cannot

shift until the end of its next turn.Levell3

Hit: As above, but 2d1 0 + ability modifier damage.Level 23

Hit: As above, but 3d1 0 + ability modifier damage.

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LEVEL 5 DAiLY EvocATioN

Vengeful Elementals Elemental Priest Attack 5

Warped elementals pull themselvesfrom the landscape andscuttleforward to engage the enemy.

Daily + Conjuration, PrimalStandard Action Ranged 10Effect: You conjure four vengeful elementals in four

different squares. The elementals last until the end ofthe encounter. Allies gain a +1 power bonus to attackrolls and a +1 d6 bonus to damage rolls on melee attackswhile adjacent to a vengeful elemental. As a minor action,you can dismiss one vengeful elemental and let one allyadjacent to it make a basic attack as a free action.

Level 15Effect As above, except as a minor action, you can

dismiss one vengeful elemental and let one allyadjacent to it make a basic attack with a +3 powerbonus to the damage roll as a free action.

Level 25Effect: As above, except as a minor action, you can dismiss

one vengeful elemental and let one ally adjacent toit make a basic attack with a +6 power bonus to thedamage roll as a free action.

LEVEL 6 UTiLiTY EVOCATiON

Retrieving Elemental Elemental Priest Utility 6

The wind elementals gather toform a dust devil that can whiskan ally to safrty.

Daily + Conjuration, PrimalMinor Action Ranged 10Effect: You conjure a retrieving elemental that lasts until the

end of the encounter. You can push any creature that endsits turn in a square adjacent to the retrieving elemental1 square. When you start your turn, you can move theelemental 1 square before you take any other actions. Asa minor action, you can dismiss the elemental, and an allyadjacent to it can shift 5 squares as a free action.

Elemental Justice Elemental Priest Attack 7

When an allyfalls victim to an attack, the elementals leap toyour companion’s defense.

Encounter + Conjuration, Implement, PrimalStandard Action Ranged 10Effect: You conjure an elemental that lasts until the end

of your next turn. You and allies gain a +1 power bonusto attack rolls while adjacent to the elemental. As astandard action, you can make a melee 1 attack from theelemental’s square.Target One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit: 2d8 + ability modifier damage, plus 2 damage for

each bloodied ally with line of sight to the elemental.In addition, you slide the target 3 squares to a squareadjacent to the elemental.

Effect: The elemental is dismissed.

Levell7Hit: As above, but 3d8 + ability modifier damage, plus 3

damage for each bloodied ally with line of sight to theelemental.

Level 27Hit: As above, but 4d8 + ability modifier damage, plus 4

damage for each bloodied ally with line of sight to theelemental.

LEVEL 9 DAILY EVOCATiON

Primordial Retribution Elemental Priest Attack 9

Horrific elementals spring forthfrom the ground and latch ontoyour enemies, holding themfast and rending theirflesh.

Daily + Conjuration, Implement, PrimalMinor Action Ranged 10Effect: You conjure four tortured elementals in four

different squares. The elementals last until the end ofthe encounter. As a standard action, you can make thefollowing melee 1 attack from each elemental’s square.Target One, two, three, or four creatures, each adjacent to

at least one tortured elementalAttack: Primary ability vs. ReflexHit The target is restrained and takes ongoing 5 damage

(save ends both). Remove one tortured elemental fromplay.

Miss: Slide the target and the tortured elemental each 1square.

Level 19Hit: As above, but 2d6 + ability modifier damage, and the

target is restrained and takes ongoing 5 damage (saveends both).

Miss: As above, plus half damage.Level 29

Hit: As above, but 5d6 + ability modifier damage, andthe target is restrained and takes ongoing 5 damage(save ends both).

Miss: As above, plus half damage.

LEVEL 10 UTiLiTY EVOCATION

Elemental Boon Elemental Priest Utility 10

Thefavor of elemental powers shines across your allies,transforming their strength into vitality.

Daily + Conjuration, Healing, PrimalStandard Action Ranged 10Effect: You conjure a rewarding elemental that lasts until

the end of the encounter. You and each ally that spendsa healing surge while adjacent to the elemental regainsadditional hit points equal to your primary ability modifier.When an ally you can see fails a death saving throw, youcan dismiss the elemental as a free action to allow the allyto spend a healing surge and gain a +4 power bonus to alldefenses until the start of its next turn.

CONJURATiONSAll of the conjurations for the elemental priest themehave some common mechanics. You must always bringforth a conjuration or conjurations in unoccupied squareswithin range, and they always occupy a square. Also, asa move action you can move each conjuration 5 squares.


LEVEL 7 ENCOUNTER EvocATioN

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RAIN RINGER“It is a cruel world, but that is all the more reason to showmercy. To heal one injury or sickness is to heal the wholeworld in some small part.”

Prerequisite: Elemental priest theme

On Athas, the rarest and most honored wieldersofprimal magic are those who evoke the spirits ofelemental water. Healers ofunmatched skill andbestowers of the blessed rains, they are held in reverence and awe by the common folk. Even viciousraiders and the cruelest slavers hesitate to harm orobstruct a rain priest, understanding that one whofollows the rainbringer’s path might save their livessomeday by calling the rains to a parched desert orgranting the gift of healing.

You are one of these rare healers. Like many elemental priests, you are no friend to the sorcerer-kingsor any other defilers. The sorcerer-kings resent anywho wield magic outside their own control, and youcan expect to be watched closely by templars—or evenarrested—ifyou are careless about revealing your abilities. However, the people of the desert and the poorcommoners of the cities revere your gifts and often goto great lengths to help you against the sorcerer-kings,the templars, and their informants.

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Although many rainbringers are pacifists, you areunder no particular obligation to avoid violence or tobestow your healing on those who are not worthy of it.

Sometimes the lesser harm lies in destroying a creature that otherwise would go on to inflict greater harmon others—or, in the case ofdefilers, on the world itself.

RAINBRINGER PATH FEATURESRain Blessed (11th level): Whenever you make

an Endurance, Heal, or Nature check, you roll twodice and use either result.

Also, when you use a power that has the healingkeyword, each ally adjacent to you gains temporaryhit points equal to halfhis or her healing surge value.

Rainbringer Action (11th level): When youspend an action point to take an extra action, eachally within 2 squares ofyou regains 3d6 hit pointsand can shift 1 square as a free action.

Soothing Presence (16th level): Bloodied alliesgain regeneration 2 while adjacent to you.

RAINBRINGER EVOCATIONS

Hailburst Rainbringer Attack 1 1

You evoke an elementalfrom the high mountains and deep sky,creating a short-lived shower ofmagical hailstones to impedeyourfoes.

Encounter + Cold, Implement, PrimalStandard Action Close burst 1Target: Each enemy in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. FortitudeHit 1 d8 + ability modifier cold damage, and the target is

weakened until the end of your next turn.

Balm of Rain Rainbringer Utility 12

Gentle mistforms around your allies, concealin8 them. Thetouch ofthe mist brings healing to one of them.

Encounter + Healing, PrimalStandard Action Area burst 3 within 10 squaresTarget: Each ally in burstEffect Each target gains concealment until the end of your

next turn. In addition, one targetcan spend a healingsurge.

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Rain Serpent Elemental Rainbringer Attack 20

You evoke a mighty elemental spirit, the legendary Rain Serpent. Its lightning tongue strikes down yourfoes, while its primal power heals your allies.

Daily + Healing, Implement, Lightning, Primal, ZoneStandard Action Area burst 2 within 10 squaresTarget: Each enemy in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. ReflexHit: 2d8 + ability modifier lightning damage, and the tar

get is dazed (save ends).Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end

of your next turn. You can move the zone 4 squares asa move action. All squares within the zone are lightlyobscured. Bloodied allies who start their turn within thezone gain regain 10 hit points. Each enemy that startsits turn within the zone takes 2d8 lightning damage andgrants combat advantage until the start of its next turn.

Sustain Minor: The zone persists.

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SMOKING CROWN INITIATE“I have been chosen by the Smoking Crown to strike downthe wicked, the defilers, the unbelievers. Do not hinder me.”

Prerequisite: Elemental priest theme

A number of cults, sects, and secret societies devotethemselves to the mighty elemental spirits ofAthas.The priests of the Smoking Crown are one such sect.They are servants of the great fire spirit that dwellsin the Smoking Crown, the largest volcano on knownAthas; by extension they are servants ofvolcanic spirits everywhere in the world.

As a Smoking Crown initiate, you are one of theelite members of the priesthood. You carry a largeburn scar on your chest, face, or hand as the sign ofyour allegiance. You are under no one’s orders, nor doyou command any lesser priests—all Smoking Crownpriests are free to serve as they see fit. Many are wandering, fire-scarred lunatics shouting wild propheciesin the wastes; others are highly effective assassins,champions, and revolutionaries (you likely fall in thelatter group). The only member of the priesthood whohas any special authority is the Keeper of the Smoking Temple, who guards a shrine hidden in the fierydepths of the mountain. Most Smoking Crown priestsgive aid and protection to other members of the sectwhen needed.

The Smoking Crown is large and active by thestandards of most elemental sects. Initiates travelwidely throughout the Tyr Region, teaching peopleto respect the elemental spirits, exposing iniquity,

and defending the weak against the depredationsof the strong. Most of the Smoking Crown’s wrath isdirected in particular at Hamanu of U~ik, because ofthe damage Urik’s miners have inflicted in the obsidian quarries of the Smoking Crown.

SMOKiNG CROWN iNITiATE

PATH FEATURESFireblessed (11th level): You gain resist 5 fire. If

you already have fire resistance, it increases by 5.Earthwrath Action (11th level): When you spend

an action point to make an attack, choose one allywithin 5 squares ofyou. Any enemy hit by your attackis marked by that ally until the end ofthe enemy’s nextturn. Also, all squares adjacent to you become difficultterrain until the end of the encounter.

Flameshield (16th level): While allies are adjacent to you, they gain fire resistance equal to yourfire resistance.

SMOKiNG CROWN iNiTiATEEvocATioNs

Fuming Cloud Smoking Crown Initiate Attack 11

You scour yourfoes with the breath of the volcano.

Encounter + Fire, Implement, PrimalStandard Action Close blast 3Target: Each creature in blastAttack: Primary ability vs. ReflexHit: 3d8 + ability modifier fire damage.Effect: Choose one ally within 5 squares of you. The target is

marked by that ally until the end of your next turn.

Blasted Ground Smoking Crown Initiate Utility 12

You call up broken, red-hot rubblefrom below the ground in awide circle around you, creating aformidable obstacle.

Daily + Fire, Primal, ZoneMinor Action Close burst 3Effect The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end

of the encounter. The zone is difficult terrain for yourenemies. Any enemy that ends its turn within the zone orthat falls prone within the zone takes 1 dl 0 fire damage.

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Magma Fissures Smoking Crown Initiate Attack 20

Jaggedfissuresfull ofspouting lava surround your ally, searingyourfoes and trapping them close to that ally.

Encounter + Fire, Implement, Primal, Thunder, ZoneStandard Action Area burst 2 within 10 squares

centered on one of your alliesTarget: Each enemy in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. ReflexHit: 3d8 + ability modifier fire and thunder damage, and

the target is slowed (save ends).Effect: The burst creates a zone centered on your ally that

lasts until the end of your next turn. The zone moves withyour ally. The zone is difficult terrain for your enemies, andany enemy within the zone that moves away from your allyon its turn takes 2d1 0 fire damage and is slowed until theend of its nextturn.


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GLAD1ATOR

“I have no quarrel withyou,friend,but circumstancesmake us enemies. Only one ofus will leave the arena thisday, and it’s going to be me.”

Life under the sorcerer-kings is hard. But the sorcerer-kings know that even with loyal templars andvast armies at their command, they rule with theirsubjects’ consent. To distract the masses from theirmisery, to divert public attention from oppressivelaws and heavy taxes, the sorcerer-kings decree theincessant spectacle ofgladiatorial games.

Each city-state boasts an impressive arena, withenough seating to hold most of its citizens. Each week,or more often depending on weather or politicalconditions, nobles and commoners gather to watchthe drama unfold, cheering madly as their favoritewarriors duel with other gladiators, work in teams toclaim the contest’s great prize, or fight en masse todefeat whatever new horror the arena masters haveplucked, no doubt at great expense and loss of life,from the desert wastes.

Naturally, most gladiators are slaves. Chosen forthis fate because oftheir strength or skill, they liveand die at the crowd’s favor, pitting what training theyacquire against myriad foes, never knowing whenthey will face an insurmountable foe, never sure whentheir opponent will be their equal. Arena masters

understand that their warriors fight with passion whenthey have something to fight for, and so they offerfreedom, wealth, pleasure, or some other incentive tostoke the fires and keep their captive warriors eagerfor victory. Freedom is the greatest prize, ofcourse butthe games are so violent that few gladiators live longenough to earn the victories they need to escape.

The life of a gladiator is brutish and brief, but it isthe one occupation a slave can hold that also bringsrespect. Gladiators are heroes to the common people.Their trials and victories are the stuff of legend, andmany slaves grow comfortable from the accoladestheir conquests bring.

BUILDING A GLADIATORSome gladiators are born to the arena, raised from anearly age to fight in front of the crowd. Others findthemselves in the pit through no intention of theirown—sentenced for a crime or sold into slavery, perhaps—only to discover that they were meant for theblood-soaked sands. A few individuals volunteer tofight in the arena, desperate (or cocky) enough to risklife and limb for a purse of high value.

The gladiator theme is a common choice for fighters, battleminds, and other defenders. The themepowers offer several good options for establishingcontrol over enemies in close combat, a useful talentfor any defender. In addition, any tough meleecombatants—for example, barbarians or melee rangers—interested in locking down enemies in melee canbenefit from these powers.

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CHAPTER 3 I Character Themes

GLADIATOR TRAITSSecondary Role: DefenderPower Source: MartialGranted Power: You gain the disrupting advance power.

GLADIATOR POWERSThe following powers are available to any characterwho has chosen the gladiator theme.

Disrupting Advance Gladiator FeatureWith an attackfollowed by a violent shove, your enemyfliesbackward. As itflailsfor balance, it loses itsfooting andstumbles into the creatures around it.

Encounter + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit 2[W] + ability modifier damage, and you push the

target 2 squares. The target and each enemy adjacent tothe target at the end of the push are slowed until the endof your next turn.Level 11: 31W] + ability modifier damage.Level 21: 4[Wl + ability modifier damage.

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Go with the Flow Gladiator Utility 2

You adjust to the sh~fting battlefield to position yourselfwhereyou can resume your bloody work.

Encounter + MartialImmediate Reaction PersonalTrigger: An enemy within S squares of you that you can see

moves willingly.Target: The triggering enemyEffect: You shift half your speed and gain combat advan

tage against the target until the end of your next turn.

LEvEL 3 ENCOUNTER ExPLoiT

Savage Sweep Gladiator Attack 3

You whip your weapon around you, cutting a swath ofbloody carnage.

Encounter + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Close burst 1Target: Each creature you can see in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 1 [WI + ability modifier damage, and the target takes a

-2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of your next turn.Levell3

Hit: As above, but 2[W] + ability modifier damage.l.evel 23

Hit: As above, but 3[WJ + ability modifier damage.

LEVEL 5 DAILY ExPLOiT

Infuriating Challenge Gladiator Attack 5

With one precise strike youfindyourfoe’s weak spot, both physically and mentally, and put it offguardfor the rest of the battle.

Daily 4 Martial, Reliable, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit 3[W] + ability modifier damage, and the target grants

combat advantage to you until theend of the encounter.LeveIlS

Hit: As above, but 4[W1 + ability modifier damage.Level 25

Hit: As above, but 5[W] + ability modifier damage.

LEVEL 6 UTILiTY EXPLOIT

Bloodborn Menace Gladiator Utility 6

Your skill at the kill gives your enemies pause.

Encounter 4 MartialFree Action PersonalTrigger: You bloody an enemy or reduce an enemy to 0 hit

points with a melee attack.Effect: Each enemy within 10 squares of you that can see

you grants combat advantage to you until the end of yournext turn.

Murderous Rampage Gladiator Attack 7

The path to victory lies through your opponent. With adevastating strike, you take a step toward that goal.

Encounter 4 Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 2[W] + ability modifier damage.Effect: Until the end of your next turn, whenever any enemy

starts its turn adjacent to the target, that enemy takesdamage equal to your primary ability modifier.

Level 17Hit 3[W] + ability modifier damage.

Level 27Hit: 4[W] + ability modifier damage.

LEVEL 9 DA1LY EXPLOIT

Bloody Blades Gladiator Attack 9

You whip your weapons aroundyou to keep your enemiesfromblocking your progress to a swift victory.

Daily 4 Martial, Stance, WeaponStandard Action Close burst 1Effect: Before the attack, you move your speed. Each enemy

that makes an opportunity attack against you during thismovement takes damage equal to your primary abilitymodifier and is pushed 1 square after its attack.

Target Each enemy you can see in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit 2[W] + ability modifier damage.Effect: You can assume the stance of the bloody blades.

Until the stance ends, as a free action you can deal damageequal to your primary ability modifier to any enemy thatstarts its turn adjacent to you. Any enemy you deal damageto cannot shift until the end of your next turn.

Level 1Hit: 3[W] + ability modifier damage.

Level 29Hit: 4[WJ + ability modifier damage.

LEVEL 10 UTiLITY EXPLOiT

Perceive Weakness Gladiator Utility 10

You spot theflaws inyourfoe’s technique and can bring thisknowledge to bear during your next attack.

Encounter 4 MartialImmediate Reaction PersonalTrigger: An enemy you can see misses with a melee attack.Target The triggering enemyEffect: Your next melee weapon attack against the target

before the end of your next turn gains a +2 power bonusto the attack roll and deals 1 [W] extra damage.

Special: If your next attack against the target misses, youregain the use of this power.


LEVEL 2 UTiLiTY EXPLOiT LEVEL 7 ENCOUNTER EXPLOiT C

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GLADJATOR CHAMPION“I have left blood in every arena in the Seven Cities; there islittle that can surprise me now.”

Prerequisite: Gladiator theme or fighter

The people need heroes. They need brave individuals to show them that adversity can be overcome nomatter how tough the opposition. They need to witness battle to slake their thirst for blood, to vent theirfrustration and anger about their own lives. Theyneed gladiators, for these bold warriors give them allthey need and more.

You are the champion the people demand. Youmight have come from humble roots, having grownup as a slave or a criminal, or you could be a professional who chose this dangerous life for glory andcoin. Regardless, something about you and your courage resonates with the people, and you become morethan just another warrior fighting for your life in thepit. You are their hero.

GLADIATOR CHAMPIONPATH FEATURES

Undaunted Action (11th level): When youspend an action point to make an attack while youare bloodied, you roll two dice for one attack rollduring that attack and use either result.

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Halo of Destruction (11th level): Whenever youbloody an enemy with an attack, each enemy adjacent to you (other than the one you bloodied) takesdamage equal to your Strength modifier.

Whirlwind of Destruction (16th level): Enemies adjacent to you cannot shift to a square that isnot adjacent to you.

GLADIATOR CHAMPION EXPLOiTS

Opening Ploy Gladiator Champion Attack 11

An attack against one ofyour enemies reveals weakness in all ofthem, he!ping you seize whatever advantage it might grant you.

Encounter + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit 2[W] + ability modifier damage, and you slide the

target 2 squares. Until the end of your next turn, you andyour allies gain combat advantage against the target anda +4 power bonus to damage rolls against enemies adjacent to the target.

Fail to Disappoint Gladiator Champion Utility 12

No matter how grim the situation, youfind a way to snatchvictoryfrom thejaws ofdefrat.

At-Will MartialFree Action Melee 1Trigger: You are hit and damaged by an enemy’s attack

while you are bloodied.Target: The triggering enemyEffect: You shift 1 square as a free action. You slide the

target 1 square into the square you just left, and you gaincombat advantage against it until the end of your nextturn.

Finishing StrikeYou close infor the kill when you sense your enemy’s reservesfailing, then compel thefoe’s allies to stayfor the slaughter.

Daily + Martial, Reliable, Stance, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One bloodied creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 4[W] + ability modifier damage. You can assume the

finishing strike stance. Until the stance ends, wheneveryou deal damage to a bloodied enemy with an attack,each enemy adjacent to the bloodied enemy is immobilized until the end of your next turn.

Gladiator Champion Attack 20


JAZST DANCER“Every drop ofblood thatfalls on the sand seems likeapplause.”

Prerequisite: Gladiator theme

Just as the sun breaks the horizon, sending lambentwaves washing across the countryside, the stands fillwith eager spectators, pushing and shoving for thebest view to the stage where the day’s dramas willunfold. Suddenly, a half-dozen warriors explode fromthe gladiator gates. They flip and spin, their bone andobsidian blades flashing in the morning light. Thecrowd roars with delight, welcoming the jazst troupeto the city once more.

Suddenly, a grating sound breaks through thecheers as a heavy gate lifts. The ground trembles,quieting the audience. The jazsts feign concern withexaggerated expressions, calling out to the crowdfor aid. The beast gate yawns wide, birthing a ferocious creature, its horny carapace fitted with bladesto catch and slash. It looses a thunderous roar as it

charges. Before it can connect, the dancers scatter,tumbling away in a dazzling display that leaves thebeast confused, blood streaming from a dozen cuts itnever saw land.

You have mastered the cruel techniques of thedangerous performers known as the jazst dancers.Unmatched in their skill with the blade, they weavea deadly dance on the arena floor, tumbling andcapering as they deliver rapid fire cuts and slashes to

weaken and confuse their opponents. Your skills onlyimprove in time, eclipsing those masters who firsttaught you as you became the greatest in the SevenCities. Like your fellows, you draw out your fights,repeatedly springing into danger to impart a painfulinjury before slipping away.

JAZST DANCER PATH FEATURESDancer’s Grace (11th level): When you make

a charge attack, run, or move as part of an attackpower, you ignore difficult terrain.

Slicing Action (11th level): When you spendan action point to make an extra melee attack usinga light blade, one target you hit takes ongoing 10damage (save ends). The ongoing damage increases to15 at 21st level.

Painful Wounds (16th level): When you makean attack that deals ongoing damage, the target of theattack also takes a -2 penalty to saving throws againstthat ongoing damage.

JAZST DANCER ExPLoiTs

Principle of the Razor Jazst Dancer Attack 11

You know where to place your blades to cause the most pain.

Encounter + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponRequirement: You must be wielding a light blade and use it

to attack with this power.Attack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 2[W] + ability modIfier damage, and the target is

dazed until the end of your next turn. If the target is already dazed, you deal 2d6 extra damage instead.

Arena Dancer Jazst Dancer Utility 1 2

Sinuous movements and practiced steps make it hardfor yourenemies to pin you down.

Daily + Martial, StanceMinor Action PersonalEffect: You assume the stance of the arena dancer. Until

the stance ends, you gain a +2 power bonus to AC andReflex. Also, whenever an enemy misses you with amelee attack, you can shift 1 square as a free action andgain combat advantage against that enemy until the endof your next turn.

You run atyour opponent, leaping at the last moment, then spinthrough the air and carve a bloody path through your enemies.

Daily + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponRequirement: You must be wielding a light blade and use it

to attack with this power.Effect: Before the attack, you shift your speed.Target: One, two, or three creaturesAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit 2[W] + ability modifier damage, and the target takes

ongoing 10 damage and is dazed (save ends both).Miss: Half damage, and ongoing 5 damage (save ends).


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4Dance of the Jazst Dancer Attack 20

Whirling Razors

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NOBLE ADEPT

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“Sometimes I envy the little people—the common citizensand slaves. No need to worry about political assassinations,no lessons to keep up with, no property to protect. All theyneed to do is survive.”

Within the city-states, noble castes own more landand more slaves than anyone except the sorcerer-kings. The members of this social class are largelyineffectual puppets who have no real power, and onlyrarely do they muster the courage to oppose the plansof the sorcerer-kings. Even when they do so, it’s notfor the greater good. Most nobles watch out only fortheir own interests. They care nothing about whathappens to people of lower castes, with the possibleexception ofpeople they own.

Though nobles lack true power, they gain manyadvantages due to their wealth. Nobles can read andwrite and can easily acquire food and water, whichisn’t true for much of the Athasian population. Everynoble receives a basic education in psionics, eitherthrough a school or from a tutor hired by the noble’sfamily, learning an array of psionic talents to betterdefend himselfor herself against enemies or to command minions. Most lose interest in their trainingand fall into the same decadent malaise that pervades the noble caste. Only a rare few nobles fullydevelop their psionic talents, but those who do so areamong the most capable and dangerous practitionersof the Way.

PSi N1C SCHOOLSEach city-state contains one or more schools to teach theWay to wealthy nobles and merchants.

Balic: Dictator Andropinis sponsors the city-state’slone psionic university, the Cerebran.

Draj: Sorcerer-King Tectuktitlay commands that children who exhibit powerful psionic talent are sent to theHouse of the Mind and rigorously tutored.

Gulg~ Children who show exceptional psionic ability are given to the teachers at the seer dagada, whopatiently train their students and treat them like family

Nibenay Several schools thrive here. They range fromthe powerful, highly commercial School of Augurs to themonasteries of the Exalted Path and Serene Bliss.

Raam: Among the dozens of schools here standsthe greatest psionic university of the Tyr Region, thePsiumarkh, which has lasted for centuries by remainingneutral in city affairs.

Tyr~ The relatively new School of Thought trains thenobles and merchants ofTyr. The city also houses numerous individual masters who provide private lessons.

Urik: King Hamanu’s orders dictate that any commoner or slave child be sent for training at the King’sAcademy, and no other institution can teach psionics.


BulI.DJNG A NOBIE ADE TUsually, nobles who become adventurers do so afterbeing expelled (or removing themselves) from society. Your character might be a fugitive hiding fromassassins working for other noble families or for thetemplars, a combat leader for your house who seeksnew troops or more combat experience, or a rebelwho left a noble family because he or she felt sympathy for common people.

Power Points: Ifyou choose a noble adept attackpower of level 3 or 7 instead of a nonaugmentableencounter attack power at that level, you also gain 2power points. Ifyou do so with a power of level 13or 17, you instead gain 4 power points, and ifyou doso with a power of level 23 or 27, you instead gain 6power points. Ifyou later relinquish your noble adeptattack powers through retraining, you lose the powerpoints you gained from the earlier choice.

NOBLE ADEPT TRAITSSecondary Role: ControllerPower Source: PsionicGranted Power: You gain 1 power point and the

adept’s insi8ht power.

NoBii ADEPT OWERSThe following powers are available to any characterwho has chosen the noble adept theme.

Adept’s Insight Noble Adept Feature

With a mentalfocus, you enhance the undeniability ofyour actions.

Encounter + PsionicFree Action Close burst STrigger: You or an ally in burst makes an attack roll, saving

throw, or skill check.Effect: You add 1 to the triggering roll.Augment 1

Effect: You instead add 1 d4+1 to the triggering roll.

LEVEL 2 UTILITY DISCIPUNE

Slave’s Sacrifice Noble Adept Utility 2

Your ally takes your place, emboldened by a sudden notionthat you are too important to be harmed.

Encounter + PsionicImmediate Interrupt Close burst 1Trigger: You are hit by an attack.Target: One willing ally in burstEffect: You swap places with the target. The target

becomes subject to the triggering attack instead of youand gains a +2 bonus to all defenses against the attack.

LEVEl. 3 ENCOUNTER DisciPLINE

Unnerving Suggestion Noble Adept Attack 3

You stagger an enemy with a mental attack, then send yourunderlingforth to take advantage with~a well timed attack.

At-Will + Implement, Psionic, PsychicStandard Action Ranged 10Requirement: You must expend 2 power points each time

you use this power.Target: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit 1 d8 + ability modh~ier psychic damage, and the target

is dazed the end of your next turn. In addition, one allywithin 3 squares of the target gains a +1 d6 bonus todamage rolls against the target until the end of yournext turn.

Level 13Requirement: You must expend 4 power points each time

you use this power.Hit: As above, but 2d8 + ability modifier psychic damage

and a +2d6 bonus to damage rolls.Level 23

Requirement: You must expend 6 power points eachtime you use this power~

Hit: As above, but 3d8 + ability modifier psychic damageand a +3d6 bonus to damage rolls.

LEVEL S DAiLY DIsciPLINE

Imperious Torture Noble Adept Attack 5

Every thrilling strike and victorious attack your allies maketortures your enemy even more.

Daily + Implement, Psionic, PsychicStandard Action Ranged 10Target: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit 2d6 + ability modifier psychic damage.Effect: The target is affected by imperious torture (save

ends). While the target is affected by imperious torture,once per round whenever an enemy within 5 squares ofthe target takes damage, the target takes psychic damageequal to your primary ability modifier. If the enemy wasbloodied by that damage, the target also falls prone.

Level 15Hit 4d6 + ability modifier psychic damage.


LEVEL 6 UTILITY DIsciPLINE

Enforced Competence Noble Adept Utility 6

Atyour urging, your allies work harder and better. There mightbe some drawbacks, but none you need to suffer.

Encounter 4 Psionic, PsychicImmediate Interrupt Close burst 10Trigger: An ally in burst makes a skill check or a saving

throw and dislikes the result.Target The triggering allyEffect: The target rerolls the check or the saving throw. If

this second check or saving throw is not successful, thetarget takes psychic damage equal to half your healingsurge value, and this power is not expended.

LEVEL 7 ENCOUNTER DisciPLiNE

Cruel Decree Noble Adept Attack 7

With the voice of authority, you callfor your allies to take thefight to your enemies.

At-Will 4 Implement, Psionic, PsychicStandard Action Area burst 1 within 10 squaresRequirement: You must expend 2 power points each time

you use this power.Target: Each enemy in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit 2d6 + ability modifier psychic damage, and the target

is slowed until the end of your next turn. Each ally in theburst gains a +2 power bonus to damage rolls against thetarget until the endof your next turn.

Level 17Requirement You must expend 4 power points each time

you use this power.Hit: As above, but 3d6 + ability modifier psychic damage

and a +4 power bonus to damage rolls.Level 27

Requirement You must expend 6 power points each timeyou use this power.

Hit As above, but 4d6 + ability modifier psychic damageand a +6 power bonus to damage rolls.

LEVEL 9 DAiLY DISCIPLiNE

Face of Defeat Noble Adept Attack 9

You make yourfoe believe defeat is imminent, and your pointis reinforced by well aimed attacksfromyourfollowers.

Daily 4 Implement, Psionic, PsychicStandard Action Ranged 10Target: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit: 2d6 + ability modifier psychic damage.Effect: The target is dazed (save ends). If the target is hit by

an attack while dazed by this power, it instead becomesstunned until the end of your next turn.

Level 9Hit: 4d6 + ability modifier psychic damage.


LEVEL 10 UTiLITY DiSCIPLiNE

Psionic Sustenance Noble Adept Utility 10

Your ally sacr~fices his or her well being to renew yourpsionic strength.

Daily + PsionicMinor Action Ranged 5Target One willing allyEffect: The target loses a healingsurge, and you regain 2

power points.Level 23: The target loses a healing surge, and you regain 4

power points.


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MIND GENERAI.“You should all be proud ofyour place as our soldiers. Todiefor our illustriousfamily is the greatest honoryou willever know.”

Prerequisite: Noble adept theme

In the interest ofprotecting the city-states, the sorcerer-kings allow noble families to keep small armiesof slave soldiers. Frequently, they use these soldiersto take action against other nobles or to protect theirproperty. A sorcerer-king can, of course, call upon thenobles’ soldiers to fight for his or her interests. Andit’s best to follow the sorcerer-king’s commands.

As one ofyour duties to your family, you weregiven charge of a legion of slave soldiers. You trainedwith them, developing your psionic talents so youcould command them silently. (Though sometimesshouted commands and threats can intimidate yourenemies far better than eerie silence.) The mostskilled mind generals can keep up a continuousmental link, sharing sights and combat instincts withall the troops in the legion.

MIND GENERAL. PATH FEATURESCommanding Action (11th level): When you

spend an action point to take an extra action, oneally within 10 squares ofyou can shift half his or herspeed as a free action and also gains a +2 bonus to ACand Reflex until the end ofyour next turn.

Reward Victory (11th level): When an allywhom you can see within 10 squares ofyou reducesan enemy to 0 hit points, you can slide that ally 1square as a free action.

Paragon Power Points (11th level): You gain 2additional power points.

Telepathic Gestalt (16th level): You can linkminds with your allies, splitting their focus and perceptions as you see fit. At the start of each ofyourturns, choose two conscious allies within 20 squaresofyou. (You don’t have to be able to see them.) One ofthem gains a +2 bonus to Fortitude, Reflex, and Will,and the other takes a -2 penalty to the same defenses.

MIND GENERAL DIsciPLINEs

Direct Order Mind General Attack 1 1

You stagger the target with a mental attack, either to provideyour ally with a vulnerable target or allow the ally to get away.

Encounter + Implement, PsionicStandard Action Ranged 10Target: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit: The target is dazed until the end of your next turn.Effect: As a free action, one ally adjacent to the target can

either take a move action or make a melee basic attackwith a +2 power bonus to the attack roll.

Augment 2Effect: As a free action, two allies adjacent to the target

can each either take a move action or make a meleebasic attack with a +2 power bonus to the attack roll.

Legion’s Press Mind General Utility 1 2

You send out a telepathic commandfor your allies to 8etinto position.

Encounter + PsionicMinor Action Close burst STarget: One ally in burst, or each ally in burst if this is your

first turn of the encounterEffect: Each target can shift half his or her speed as a free

action.

Unequaled Command Mind General Attack 20

You extend your psionic influence to everyone nearby,continually shifting thefield ofbattle to perfect its arrangement.

Daily + Implement, Psionic, Psychic, StanceStandard Action Close burst 3Target: Each enemy in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit: 4d6 + ability modifier psychic damage, and you slide

the target 3 squares.Effect: You can assume the stance of unequaled command.

Until the stance ends, at the start of your turn you caneither slide each ally within 5 squares of you 1 square orslide each enemy within S squares of you 1 square.


PSIONIC SCHOLAR“The vast stores ofknowledge at the Psiumarkh unlockedthe true potential within my mind. Your crude attempts atpsionics amuse me, but won’t prove much ofan obstacle.”

Prerequisite: Noble adept theme

Psionic power has an infinite number of uses, butfew people on Athas develop more than a passingfamiliarity with their innate talents. Within thepsionic schools of the city-states, or with privatetutors, noble children are expected to hone theirpsionic powers. As with any type of study, most students don’t put forth much effort, and therefore don’tlearn much. The average noble retains the barestvestiges of psionic training, just enough to overheargossip from a distance or to telekinetically move acup a few inches.

While your peers shirked their studies andneglected their psionic gifts, you devoured everypiece of lore and technique you could. Fascinated bythe capabilities of the mind, you practiced constantlyand delved deep into the secrets of the Way. Everytime you outmatched another student with your gifts,every time you tricked someone into giving you whatyou wanted, you felt a thrill you couldn’t find anywhere else. The world and your society reward themost cunning and the strongest, and you live up tothose ideals.

PsioNic SCHOLAR PATH FEATURESDazing Action (11th level): When you spend

an action point to make an attack, one enemy you hifwith that attack is also dazed until the end ofyournext turn.

Guarded Mind (11th level): You gain resist 10psychic, increasing to resist 15 psychic at 21st level.

Scholar’s Analysis (16th level): Once duringan encounter when you hit an enemy with an attack,you can learn that enemy’s resistances. You also learnwhich of its Fortitude, Reflex, and Will are highestand lowest.

PsioNic SCHOLAR DJsCIPUNEs

Psionic Capture Psionic Scholar Attack 11

You compel yourfoe to remain still as you probe its mind anderode its defenses.

Encounter + Implement, Psionic, PsychicStandard Action Ranged 10Target: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit: 2d6 + ability modifier psychic damage, and the target

is immobilized until the end of your next turn. In addition, until the end of your next turn the target eitherloses one resistance of your choice or takes a -2 penaltyto the defense of your choice.

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Mental Juxtaposition Psionic Scholar Utility 1 2

By predicting your enemy’sinext attack, you devise the perfectstrategy to both avoid it and retaliate.

Daily + PsionicImmediate Interrupt Close burst 5Trigger: An enemy in burst hits an ally with an attack.Target: The triggering enemyEffect: The target takes a -5 penalty to the attack roll and

takes a -5 penalty to the defense the attack was madeagainst until the end ofits next turn.

Perfected Discipline Psionic Scholar Attack 20

Pfsing your knowledge of all types ofpsionic power, you attackyour enemies’ minds and construct ethereal chains andenervating spikes.

Daily + Implement, Psionic. PsychicStandard Action Area burst 3 within 20 squaresTarget: One, two, or three enemies in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. Fortitude, Reflex, and WillHit (Fortitude): The target is weakened (save ends).Hit (Reflex): The target is restrained (save ends).Hit (Will): The target takes ongoing 1 5 psychic damage

(save ends).Special: One saving throw ends all effects on a single target.

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PRiMAL GUARDIAN

a

“The world has suffrred more than any slave, yet l!f~ stillflowers in afrw places. I have vowed to protect these placesofpristine nature, and it’s a promise I intend to keep.”

Much ofAthas is desolate and defiled, but the life of aworld is difficult to quench altogether. In spite of thesupernatural ruin visited over so much of the planetthousands ofyears ago, the vital force ofAthas stillflourishes in a few places—the rain-misted junglesof the Forest Ridge, the green palm groves of hiddenoases in the Tablelands, the majestic stands ofgiantcactus that dot the stony barrens in the wilds southofTyr, creek-fed mountain vales, the dazzling bluewaters of the Dragon’s Bowl, and a thousand moresecret refuges and lost springs.

Across the Tyr Region, sentinels stand watch overthese surviving treasures, protecting them from pillaging or defiling at the hands ofpeople too careless,desperate, or wicked to care whether their actionsmight murder one more piece of a gravely woundedworld. These watchers and sentinels are the world’sprimal guardians, chosen by the spirits or selfappointed to defend the life ofAthas.

Many primal guardians are hermits who live in ornear the lands they guard. Legendary druids such asEnola, the mul guardian of the Dragon’s Bowl, andMearedes, the protector of the island of Shault, areexcellent examples. Some of these individuals choosetheir tasks for themselves, freely taking up the mantleofguardianship over some rare and precious verdantpatch hidden in the desert. Others are possessed bythe primal spirits, haunted or maddened by visionsand bound to the place of the land’s need. Still otherprimal guardians belong to circles or brotherhoodscollectively sworn to defend a wide area. Severalsuch circles, consisting mostly ofhalfling druids andwardens, are scattered throughout the Forest Ridge.Another band known as the Crescent Circle worksto defend the Crescent Forest between GuIg andNibenay. Finally, a few circles are free-roaming ordersor societies that keep watch over the whole of the TyrRegion, passing messages to each other and gatheringto oppose great dangers when they arise.

Even if a primal guardian chooses a single localeto protect, he or she is free to wander the rest of theworld. In fact, many guardians begin their careerswith an extended time ofwandering, learning thesecrets of nature’s balance throughout Athas andsearching for the place of their calling. But even afterthis time comes to an end, the needs of all ofAthasoften draw a primal guardian into long journeys awayfrom the place he or she wards.

Even more so than elemental priests, primalguardians are people of the deep desert and theremote wilderness. Where the elemental priests seek


to instill reverence for the primal elements in thepeoples ofAthas, primal guardians seek to keep verdant lands hidden and unspoiled. Some conceal trailsor wield magic to obscure their warded places, somelure dangerous beasts to lair in the right spot, somespread rumors of death and desolation, and a few killanyone who comes across the place they are sworn toprotect. A few lives are nothing when weighed againstthe life of the world, after all.

BUILDING APRIMAL GUARDIANDruids, shamans, barbarians, rangers, and wardensare most likely to become primal guardians. Theyare already attuned to the primal spirits, and theycan easily see the worth in defending a place wherenature still flowers. Likewise, rangers and preservers—including sorcerers, wizards, and fey pactwarlocks—are often close to nature and dedicated toits defense. However, the primal spirits sometimesmove through unexpected heroes.

PRIMAL GUARDIAN TRAITSSecondary Role: DefenderPower Source: PrimalGranted Power: You gain the mark of thunder power.

PRIMAL GUARDIAN POWERSThe following powers are available to any characterwho has chosen the primal guardian theme.

Mark of Thunder Primal Guardian Feature

You invoke thefading power of the world as you strike.

Encounter + Primal, Thunder, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit 1 LWI + ability modifier thunder damage.

Level 11: 2[WI + ability modifier thunder damage.Level 21: 3[WI + ability modifier thunder damage.

Effect: You mark the target until the end of your next turn.Until the mark ends, if the target makes an attack thatdoes not include you, it takes 5 thunder damage.Level 11: 10 thunder damage.Level 21: 15 thunder damage.

LEVEL 2 UTiLITY EvocATioN

Sandstep Primal Guardian Utility 2

In a swirl ofwind driven sand, you move across the battlefield,and the sand obscures you and nearby allies.

Encounter + PrimalMove Action PersonalEffect You shift 3 squares. Until the end of your next turn,

you gain concealment, as do your allies while they areadjacent to you.

58

LEVEL 7 ATTACK EVOCATION

Armor of the Land Primal Guardian Attack 3

The land’s blessings wrap themselves aroundyou, encasingyou in a shell ofwood and stone and thunder.

Encounter + Polymorph, Primal, Thunder, WeaponMinor Action PersonalEffect: You assume the armor of the land form until the end

of your next turn. While in this form, you gain resist S toall damage. Once before the end of your next turn, you canmake the following attack as an immediate interrupt.Trigger: An enemy adjacent to you moves willingly.Target: The triggering enemyAttack: Primary ability vs. FortitudeHit: 2[W] + ability modifier thunder damage, and you

knock the target prone.Level 13

Hit: As above, but 3[WJ + ability modifier thunder damage.Level 23

Hit As above, but 4[W] + ability modifier thunderdamage.

LEVEl. 5 ATTACK EVOCATiON

Storm of Debris Primal Guardian Attack 5

Splinters ofwood, serrated leaves, and thorny brush whirlaround you with thunderousfwy, striking yourfoes andpreventing their escape.

Daily + Polymorph, Primal, Thunder, WeaponMinor Action PersonalEffect: You assume the form of a storm of debris until the

end of the encounter. While you are in this form, eachenemy that starts its turn within 2 squares of you takes5 thunder damage and is marked by you until the end ofyour next turn.

Once during the encounter while in this form, you canmake the following attack.Standard Action Close burst 2Target Each creature in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. ReflexHit 1 LW] + ability modifier thunder damage, and you slide

the target 1 square. The target is also slowed (save ends).LevellS

Effect: As above, but 10 thunder damage.Hit: As above, but 2[W] + ability modifier thunder damage.

Level 25Effect As above, but 15 thunder damage.Hit: As above, but 3[W] + ability modifier thunderdamage.

LEVEL 6 UTiLITY EVOCATiON

Lifting Winds Primal Guardian Utility 6

Primal spirits ridingfierce winds propel your ally into battle.

Encounter + PrimalMove Action Close burst 10Target: You or one ally in burstEffect: The target flies a number of squares equal to your

primary ability modifier and lands at the end of thismovement. Until the end of your next turn, when thetarget hits an enemy with a melee attack, he or she alsopushes the enemy 1 square.

Armor of Living Dunes Primal Guardian Attack 7

Primal spirits ofsand, stone, and wood infuse your body withenergy, transforming you into a creature ofdesert life and givingyou the ability to hurl a blast ofsandfrom your weapon.

Encounter + Polymorph, Primal, WeaponMinor ActionEffect: You assume the armor of living dunes form until the

end of your next turn. While in this form, you are immuneto forced movement. Once before the end of your nextturn, you can make the following attack.Standard Action Close blast 3Target: Each creature in blastAttack: Primary ability vs. ReflexHit: 1 [W] + ability modifier damage, and you push the

target 2 squares. In addition, the target is blinded untilthe end of your next turn.



LEVEL 9 ATTACK EvoCATioN

Of Wood and Stone Primal Guardian Attack 9

Angiy primal spirits bind themselves to you, transformingyour body into a hulking mass of rock and wood.

Daily 4 Polymorph, Primal, WeaponMinor Action PersonalEffect: You assume the form of wood and stone until the

end of the encounter. While you are in this form, you andall allies adjacent to you gain resist 5 to all damage andcannot be pulled, pushed, or slid unless you or the allyadjacent to you chooses to be.

Once before the end of the encounter while you are inthis form, you can make the following attack.Standard Action Close burst 1Target Each enemy in burst you can seeAttack: Primary ability vs. FortitudeHit: 2[W] + ability modifier damage, and the target is

weakened until the end of your next turn.Level 19

Hit: As above, but 3[W1 + ability modifier damage.Level 29 ., , ,~,,, ~aIJ iii~i I) :

Hit: As above, but 4[W] + ability modifier damage.

LEVEL 10 UTILiTY EVOCATION

Balm of the Guardian Primal Guardian Utility 10

You leech the moisturefrom the area around you, directing it toyour allies and creating kindling for thefire.

Daily 4 Healing, Primal, ZoneMinor Action Close burst 3Effect: You spend a healingsurge. You regain hit points as

normal, and each ally in the burst gains temporary hitpoints equal to one-half your level. The burst creates azone that lasts until the end of your next turn. Each enemy within the zone gains vulnerable 5 thunder while itis within the zone.

LEVEL 3 ATTACK EVOCATiON z

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CHAPTER 3 Character Themes59 1

GUARDIAN OF T E LAND“Vt/ho better to protect the land than the land itself?”

Prerequisite: Primal guardian theme

There is no greater calling than to protect the land,to shelter it from those who would exploit it for thepower it contains. Your long associations with thespirit world revealed to you the fragile balance thatallows life to continue despite the hardships. Onlyif this balance is maintained can life and the worldrecover, and so you make this your work, devotingyour life to its protection.

The primal spirits are not blind to your sacrifice,and they respond to your efforts by lending aid whereand when they can. Whenever you choose a land toguard, the spirits emerge from the broken landscapeto add their strength to your own. They slow enemiesas they approach and punish the trespassers.

As your bond with the land grows, so too doesyour understanding of its power. You can drawprimal magic into yourselfwhen you assume bestialforms, growing your strength and vitality. Withinyour guarded sites you can move from place to place,ensuring that nothing under your stewardship comesto harm. And ifyou face a dire threat, you can callforth the ancient spirits to harry and kill any youname as your enemy.

GUARDJAN OF THE LAND

PATH FEATURESGuarded Land (11th level): Your connection to

the world lets you form bonds with the land’s spirits.You gain the guarded land power.

Guarded Land Guardian of the Land Feature

The land’s spirits awaken, answering your pleafor aid.

Encounter + Primal, ZoneMinor Action Close blast 3Effect: You mark each enemy in the blast until the end of

your next turn. The blast creates a zone that lasts untilthe end of the encounter, or until a creature uses arcanedefiling within the zone. The zone is difficult terrain foryour enemies. You can move the zone 1 square as part ofa move action, or 3 squares as a move action.

Land Guarding Action (11th level): When youspend an action point to take an extra action, youcan move the zone created by guarded land 3 squares.After the move, any enemy within the zone takesdamage equal to your primary ability modifier.

Nature’s Steward (11th level): Once per day, youcan use the Speak with Nature ritual without expending components.

In addition, you no longer need to eat or drink.Watchful Wrath (16th level): Once per round

on your turn, as a free action you mark every enemywithin the zone created by guarded land until the endofyour next turn.


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GUARDIAN OF THE LAND

EvocATioNs

e

Land’s Rebuke Guardian of the Land Attack 11

The land is your ally~ and atyour call it rises up to smashyour enemies.

Encounter + PrimalImmediate Interrupt Area specialTrigger: An enemy within the zone created by your guarded

land and marked by you makes an attack that does notinclude you as a target.

Target: Each enemy within the zone created by guarded landAttack: Primary ability + 6 (9 at 21st level) vs. FortitudeHit: 2d1 0 + ability modifier damage, and you slide the

target 3 squares to a square within the zone created byguarded land.

Land Stride Guardian of the Land Utility 12

While on or near the lands you guard, nothing can hold you.

At-Will 4 Primal, TeleportationMove Action PersonalRequirement: You are within the zone created by guarded

land or adjacent to it.Effect: You teleport 3 squares to a square within the zone

created by Buarded land.

Awakened Fury Guardian of the Land Attack 20

The land stirs to violence, snatching and rending your enemies.

Daily 4 PrimalStandard Action Area specialTarget: Each enemy within the zone created by guarded landAttack: Primary ability + 9 vs. ReflexHit: 3d8 + ability modifier damage, and the target is immo

bilized and takes ongoing 10 damage (save ends both).Miss: Half damage, and the target is immobilized (save ends).

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VOICE FOR THE RAVAGED“You speak ofsuffrring? Look aroundyou. Canyou not seethat the world cries in agony, too?”

Prerequisite: Shaman or primal guardian theme

The primal spirits all bear scars from the ancientconflict that led to the world’s devastation. Manyvanished, consumed by destructive magic. Thosewho remained either retreated to the few remaininghavens or turned to elemental power to sustain themselves in the bitter aftermath. It is to the ravaged, thebroken, and corrupted that you turn to wage yourwar against tyranny and right the world’s course oncemore. You give voice to their grievances, guiding theirwrath to destroy the enemy you have vowed to fight.

You have become the ally of these twisted primalspirits, who allow you to wield not only their strengthbut their very essence in your crusade against thedespoilers. The spirits answer your commands, lending both primal and elemental power to your attacks.Their anger lets you drive your enemies to turn onone another, while at the same time sheltering yourallies from harm or infusing them with elementalstrength. The spirits are vengeful, and you are thatvengeance personified. The most revealing aspect toyour heightened connection is the ability to bind yourspirit with your enemies, so that even as your companions close, your spirit rends the soul within.

d

VoicE FOR THE RAVAGED

PATH FEATURES -

Spirit Ride (11th level): After each extended ~rest, choose one ofyour allies and one of the following damage types: cold, fire, lightning, or thunder.The chosen ally gains resist 10 to that damage type ~and a +1 bonus to attack rolls with powers that deal ~damage of that type. These benefits last until you take ~another extended rest.

Wrathful Action (11th level): When you spend ~an action point to take an extra action, each enemyadjacent to you takes fire, cold, lightning, and thunder damage equal to your primary ability modifier.

Bountiful Returns (16th level): When youuse a daily primal attack power, each ally within 5squares of you gains temporary hit points equal toyour primary ability modifier and can shift 1 squareas a free action.

VoicE FOR THE RAVAGEDEVocATioNs

Hateful Binding Voice for the Ravaged Attack 11

Youforce your enemy to endure the ravages that have plaguedAthas, causing it to turn against one of its allies.

Encounter + Charm, Primal, PsychicStandard Action Ranged 5Target: One creatureAttack: Primary ability + 6 vs. Will

LeveI2l: Primary ability+ 9 vs. WillHit 1 dl 0 + ability modifier psychic damage, and as a free

action the target makes a basic attack against a creatureof your choice, with a bonus to the damage roll equal toyour ability modifier.

Restorative Wind Voice for the Ravaged Utility 1 2

You summon the primal spirits of air and earth, creating asoothing whirlwind that washes over your allies to give themrespitefrom their wounds.

Daily + Healing, PrimalMinor Action Close blast 5Target: Each ally in blastEffect Each target regains hit points as if~it had spentia:m

healing surge and gains a +2 power bonus to all defensesuntil the start of your next turn.

World’s Vengeance Voice for the Ravaged Attack 20

You callforth the greatest and most vengeful ofyour spirit allies,sending that spirit to lash out at your enemies and bring themunderyour command.

Daily + Charm, PrimalStandard Action Close burst 3Target: Each enemy in burstAttack: Primary ability + 9 vs. WillHit The target is stunned (save ends).

First Failed Saving Throw: The target is dominatedinstead of stunned (save ends).

Aftereffect: The target is dazed until the end of yournext turn.

Miss: The target is dazed (save ends).


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TEMPLAR“I have been entrusted with thefull power and authorityofour king. Where I am, he is too. What I deem right andjust, he approves. What I condemn as seditious or criminal, he also condemns. I am the law.”

Judges, officials, and enforcers of the king’s laws,templars are the embodiment of civic authority in thegreat cities ofAthas. They form a privileged meritocracy of individuals who serve as the sorcerer-king’seyes, ears, and mouth among the populace—and, ascircumstances require, the heavy hand of crushingtyranny. Given broad discretion to enforce the king’swill as they see fit, templars are often brutal andcorrupt, using their positions to wring ruinous taxesand bribes from all who fall under their power. A sorcerer-king doesn’t care about templars being corrupt,as long as they keep the city in good order.

Templars commonly enjoy broad powers to arrestwrongdoers, impose fines, and command soldiers orcity guards to do their bidding in their home cities.Of course, higher-ranking templars can countermandthese orders, so a low-ranking templar can’t just commandeer the half-giants guarding a city gate andmarch off into the desert with them—he would haveto appeal to his superiors to approve his mission andrequest that guards be assigned to his command.Likewise, templars of a particular city-state have nocivic authority in other cities or in places not underthe direct rule of their king. Though the civic powersgranted to templars are formidable in their own right,templars are not simply bureaucrats many are alsoformidable spellcasters, sanctioned to wield the terrible magic of the sorcerer-kings in the pursuit oftheir duties. In many cities templars are trained inarcane magic in formal academies and are bestowedwith the ability to call upon their sorcerer-king’smagical might through lengthy pacts.

The exact ranks and customs of the templar hierarchy vary widely from city to city. In Balic, templarsare known as praetors and are elected to their positions (although a few elections end in unexpectedupsets). The templars ofNibenay are exclusivelyfemale and are ceremonially wedded to the sorcerer-king. In Draj, templars are known as the Priests ofthe Moon and are charged with observing the civicworship of the king Tectuktitlay, who claims to be agod. Notwithstanding specific customs, all templarsconstitute a powerful, wealthy social class withintheir cities—a social class highly invested in keepingeach sorcerer-king the supreme master of his or hercity-state.

Most templars revel in their positions and ruthlessly exploit the weak and the poor. However, a feware patriots who are truly concerned with what’s

62 P~S 4~ CHAPTER 3 Character Themes

best for their city and their fellow citizens. Some arereformers who seek to moderate the excesses of thesystem, and a rare handful are rebels seeking to effectchange from within. Heroic templars likely holdthese convictions.

BUILDING A TEMPLARAll templars are members of the templar hierarchyand have some skill in the use of arcane magic—especially magic that is useful in compelling obedience orpunishing lawbreakers. However, a templar need notbe a member of a spellcasting class. A templar mightbe a rogue who serves as a spy or an investigator, apsion jurist or scholar, a warlord who holds a post asa commander or an administrator, or even a fighterwho serves in an elite palace guard.

TEMPLAR TRAITSSecondary Role: LeaderPower Source: ArcaneGranted Power: You gain the ternplar’s fist power.

TEMPLAR POWERSThe following powers are available to any characterwho has chosen the templar theme.

Templar’s Fist Templar Feature

You commandyourfoe to submit, crushing its spirit andslowing itsflight. The same power that compels yourfoe todespairfills a nearby ally with brutal zeal.

Encounter + Arcane, Implement, PsychicStandard Action Close burst 5Target: One creature in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit: 1 dl 0 + ability modifier psychic damage, and the tar

get is slowed until the end of your next turn.Level II: 2d1 0 + ability modifier psychic damage.Level2l: 3d10 + ability modifier psychic damage.

Effect: The next ally who hits and damages the target before the end of your next turn gains a 3 power bonus toattack rolls until the end of his or her next turn.

LEVFI 2 UT1UTY SPEU.

Reward the Obedient TempI~r Utility ~2

You call upon your subject to slay the enemies ofyour master,drawing your ally onward into thefray.

Encounter + Arcane, HealingStandard Action Close burst 5Target: One enemy in burstEffect: The next ally who ends his or her turn adjacent to

the target before the end of your next turn can spend ahealing surge and make a saving throw.

Fearsome Command Templ~r Attack 3

You cause yourfoes to hesitate with a spell ofmagical terror,butyour ally takes heartfrom your authority.

Encounter + Arcane, Fear, Implement, PsychicStandard Action Area burst 2 within 10 squaresTarget: Each creature in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit: 2d6 + ability modifier psychic damage, and the target

is slowed until the end of your next turn.Effect: The next ally who hits and damages one of the

targets before the end of your next turn automaticallysucceeds on any one saving throw at the end of his orher turn.

Level 13Hit: As above, but 3d6 + ability modifier psychic damage.


LEVEL 5 DAILY SPELL

Glare of Oppression Templar Attack 5

You create a wave of blistering sunlight and mental oppression.It saps your enemies’ will tofight while renewing the vigor ofthose you command.

Daily + Arcane, Healing, Implement, RadiantStandard Action Area burst 2 within 10 squaresTarget: Each enemy in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit 2d1 0 + ability modifier radiant damage, and the tar

get is immobilized (save ends).Miss: Half damage, and the target is slowed until the end of

your next turn.Effect: The next ally who hits and damages one of the tar

gets before the end of your next turn gains regeneration3 until the end of the encounter.

Level 15Hit: As above, but 3d1 0 + ability modifier radiant damage.

Level 25Hit As above, but 4d1 0 + ability modifier radiantdamage.

LEVEL 6 UTILITY SPELL

Mantle of Might Templar Utility 6

An invisible aura ofpower protects youfrom enemies that dareto approach.

Daily + Arcane, FearMinor Action PersonalEffect Until the end of your next turn, enemies grant

combat advantage and take a -4 penalty to attack rollsagainst you while adjacent to you. The next ally who hitsand damages an enemy adjacent to you before the end ofthe encounter gains 1 action point.

Fettering Glare Templar Attack 7

You create ghostly, constricting iron manacles to pin yourfoe inplace. The manacles draw an enchantment or blight affectingone ofyour allies awayfrom him.

Encounter + Arcane, Implement, PsychicStandard Action Close burst 2Target: Each enemy in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit 2d8 + ability modifier psychic damage, and you knock

the target prone.Effect: The next ally who hits and damages one of the

targets before the end of your next turn rolls twice on anyone attack roll made before the end of his or her next turn,using either result.

Levell7Hit: As above, but 3d8 + ability modifier psychic damage.


LEVEL 9 DAn.Y SPELL

Imperious Gaze Templar Attack 9

Youfixyour eye on afoe or afriend, driving your ally onwardwith magical compulsion or crushing your enemy’s will.

Daily + Arcane, Implement, PsychicStandard Action Close burst 2Target: Each enemy in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit: 2d1 0 + ability modifier psychic damage, and the tar

get is dazed (save ends).Effect: The next ally who hits and damages one of the

targets before the end of the encounter can regain any oneexpended encounter attack power of this power’s level orlower.

Level 19 -

Hit As above, but 3d1 0 + ability modifier psychicdamage.

Level 29Hit: As above, but 4d1 0 + ability modifier psychic damage.

LEVEL 10 UTiLITY SPELL

Berate the Weak Templar Utility 10

You lash yourfailing allies with words ofscorn, driving themback into thefray with renewed determination.

Encounter + Arcane, HealingMinor Action Close burst 5Target: Each bloodied, dazed, stunned, or prone ally in burstEffect: Each target can choose to spend a healing surge, au

tomatically remove one dazed or stunned effect, or standup. In addition, each target in the burst can move his orher speed as a free action, as long as this movement endswith that target adjacent to an enemy.


LEVEL 3 ENCOUNTER SPELL LEVEL 7 ENCOUNTER SPELL—I

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MASTER DEFILER“What does it matter ~fafew plants die tofuel myambitions?”

Prerequisite: Arcane defiling power

The lowly and the ignorant see defilers as craven andcorrupt—little more than thieves with magical talent.It’s true that the defiler’s path is selfish in its way: Adefiler requires energy from associates and the livingworld nearby to power his or her greatest spells. Andit is also true is that defiling can corrupt the body andmind. But only a fool could fail to see the power thatdefiling offers, and you are not a fool.

Most who openly defile enjoy the protection of highstation or powerful patrons. Perhaps you are ofnoblebirth, and your family’s wealth protects you from theconsequences ofyour actions. You might have beenchosen for an arcane education while still young andtutored in the ways ofmagic by templar instructors,or perhaps you gained the king’s sanction by othermeans—as a reward for some great service to the kingor the city, through bribery, or by the manipulationofpowerful nobles or senior templars exercising theking’s favor. Ifyou are not a native of a city-state, theonly sanction you require is sheer power: You candefile freely ifyour tribe protects you, or ifyou are sopowerful that no one dares to challenge you.

Ifyou are one of a sorcerer-king’s sanctioneddefilers, you might be expected to make yourselfavailable for special tasks or duties as needed. Suchassignments are rare, however; most sorcerer-kingsallow master defilers in their cities to do more or lessas they wish, trusting that they won’t jeopardize thecity or themselves. After all, master defilers are universally loathed, and if anything ever happens to theking, even a master defiler wouldn’t last a day.

MASTER DEFILER PATH FEATURESDefiler’s Action (11th level): When you spend

an action point to make an extra attack, you can usearcane defiling on that attack even if the attack is notan arcane daily power.

Offensive Defiling (11th level): When you usearcane defiling, one nonminion enemy within 20squares ofyou takes damage equal to halfyour healing surge value.

Defiler’s Addiction (16th level): You can usearcane defiling on one arcane encounter attack powerper encounter.

MASTER DEFILER SPELLS

Defiling Alacrity Master Defiler Attack 11

Your mastery ofdefiling with simple spells allows you to castthem with alarming quickness.

Encounter + Arcane, NecroticStandard Action PersonalEffect: You can use one of your at-will arcane attack pow

ers as a free action. If the attack hits, the power deals1 dl 0 extra necrotic damage to one target hit by theattack. In addition, the next time you use an arcaneattack power before the end of your next turn, you rolltwo dice for one attack roll and use either result.

Defiling Recovery Master Defiler Utility 12

You quickly defile your surroundings to conserve the energy ofafailed spell.

Encounter 4 ArcaneFree Action PersonalTrigger: You miss every target with an arcane encounter

attack spell.Effect The trigg~~ng power is not expended.

•1CHAPTER 3 Character Themes

Enemies to AshesLike defilers of legend,you steal l~feforcefromyour enemies,wracking them with pain and turning their bodies into lifelessash in the process.

Daily 4 Arcane, NecroticStandard Action PersonalEffect: You can use one of your at-will arcane attack pow

ers as a free action. If the attack hits, one creature hit bythe attack also takes ongoing 20 necrotic damage (saveends). Until the ongoing damage ends, the creature hitis considered to be your ally for the purpose of takingdamage from arcane defiling. If the attack misses, thispower is not expended.

Master Defiler Attack 20

Balic is friendlier to trade than any other city inthe Tyr Region is, and several important merchanthouses are based here. Consequently, praetors findthat their duties often lead them to distant villagesand even other cities, watching over Balic’s tradeaffairs. Most praetor legates are natives of Balic, butcapable and trustworthy foreigners occasionally risehigh in the ranks ofAndropinis’s templars.

PRAETOR LEGATE PATH FEATURESPraetor’s Censure (11th level): Whenever you

bloody an enemy with an attack, that enemy grantscombat advantage until the end ofyour next turn.

Praetor’s Action (11th level): When you spendan action point to make an attack, the next ally whohits and damages one of the targets ofyour attackbefore the end ofyour next turn gains an action point.

Chosen ofAndropinis (16th level): Wheneveran enemy starts its turn adjacent to you, you can slidethat enemy 1 square as a free action.

PRAETOR LEGATE SPELLS

Obsidian Javelin Praetor Legate Attack 11

PRAETOR LEGATE“Sometimes hard decisions must be made tofurther theinterests of the State. The dictator trusts myjudgment inthese matters.”

Prerequisite: Templar theme or sorcerer-kingpact class feature

Through a combination ofpersonal talent, familyconnections, wealth, and loyal service to DictatorAndropinis, you have won a high office among thetemplars of Balic. Most praetors are magistrates, overseers of commerce, or military commanders—theylack your personal might and are simply high-ranking officials and administrators. You, however,aren’t saddled with mundane duties. Instead, youare a personal representative of the dictator, vestedwith the power to further the interests of the state inwhatever manner you deem appropriate. As a badgeofyour special office, you are entitled to wear a cloakor tunic with a purple stripe or border.

As a praetor legate, you might spy on Balic’s enemies, investigate corruption, look after the defense ofthe life-sustaining trade routes throughout the ForkedTongue, track down criminals, or search for ancientartifacts in ruined cities. You answer only to Andropinis himself.. . and ifyou are a true patriot, you mightfind that the interests of the dictator and the interestsof Balic are not always one and the same.

You create a black, ghostlyjavelin ofmagicalforce. Itsconcussion drives yourfoe back and makes it a tempting targetfor your ally.Encounter + Arcane, Force, ImplementStandard Action Melee touch or Ranged 10Target One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ReflexHit 3d8 + ability modifier force damage, and you push the

target 3 squares.Effect: The next ally who hits and damages the target before

the end of your next turn gains resist 10 to all damageuntil the end of that ally’s next turn.

Dustwalk Praetor Legate Utility 1 2

You stride through the air in a whirling cloud of dust.

Encounter + ArcaneMinor Action PersonalEffect: Until the end of your next turn, you can fly (hover)

at your speed. You have an altitude limit of 1 square. Youhave concealment while flying or hovering.

Dictator’s Judgment Praetor Legate Attack 20

You channel the power ofDictator Andropinis to pronouncea direjudgment onyourfoe. Your spell roots the target to thespot and crushes its will to resist~you, and you offer a bounty ofvitality on the head of the damned.

Daily + Arcane, Healing, Implement, PsychicStandard Action Close burst 10Target: One creature in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit: 4d8 + ability modifier psychic damage, and the target

is immobilized (save ends).Miss: Half damage, and the target is slowed until the end of

your next turn.Effect: The next ally who hits and damages the target

before the end of the encounter regains hit points asthough he or she had spent three healing surges.


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VEiLED ALLiANCE“For centuries, the sorcerer-kings have perpetrated a greatlie. They claim that arcane power is innately evil, and allwho wield it without their supervision must be destroyed.The truth is that arcane magic is a weapon, and like anyweapon, it can be usedfor good or ill.”

Arcane spelicasters are feared and reviled throughout Athas, but a secret society protects those whochoose the path of the preserver: the Veiled Alliance.Cells of this cabal are located across the Tyr Region,mostly within the city-states. Each cell is independentand does not answer to any central authority. Leadersof each cell oversee and train a network ofwarriors,spies, and other capable agents—especially those whouse arcane power.

All Veiled Alliance activities are directed towardthe protection of preserving and the downfall ofdefiling. Although individual members might takeup other tasks, the organization holds no other purpose as more important. The boldest of these aimsis direct opposition to the sorcerer-kings. The Alliance is therefore a rebel movement—the only rebelmovement worth speaking of in some cities. As such,members of the Veiled Alliance are eagerly hunted bythe templars and agents of every surviving sorcerer-king and those who wish to curry their favor.

Any preserver who comes to the attention of theVeiled Alliance earns a degree of aid. Membership isanother matter. A potential recruit must be trustworthy and gain sponsorship of an existing member.

The Veiled Alliance holds the following tenets:Protect the path of arcane preserving, its practitioners, and those who support preservers—especiallythe Veiled Alliance itself. Teach, aid, and liberatepreservers and their allies. Do nothing that bringsdanger to a preserver’s door.Defilers are abominations that steal that whichrightly belongs to everyone. In their weakness,they ruin the land and bring hostile attention to

THE ALLIANCE AND DEFiLiNGThe Veiled Alliance abhors defiling, and most of itsmembers literally wouldn’t defile to save their own lives.But sometimes a dedicated preserver might panic orweaken in his resolve when faced with an overwhelmingchallenge, and give in to the easy path. A character whomakes this mistake isn’t disqualified from the theme;however, if others witness the act of defiling and wordgets back to the local Veiled Alliance cell, the characterwill be thrown out (and possibly hunted down and killed,if he or she knows too much). A fallen preserver can tryto start over with another Veiled Alliance cell in a different city. . . but someone who repeatedly turns to defilingisn’t living up to the society’s ideals, and might be betteroff with a different heroic theme.


those who use arcane magic properly. Convert adefiler to the right path, or thwart and destroy thedefiler without revealing the Alliance.The greatest defilers, the sorcerer-kings, mustbe brought down. Only they have the power todestroy our path.

BuII.DING A VEILEDALLIANCE CHARACTERMost Veiled Alliance characters are preservers—sorcerers, wizards, and occasionally warlocks who havesworn never to defile and to do everything in theirpower to protect fellow preservers and safeguardknowledge that otherwise might pass from the world.However, not all Veiled Alliance members are primarily spellcasters. It’s not unusual for an Alliancecell to include a sprinkling of psions, ardents, andother people ofpsionic talent, as well as spies andguards who have no magical talent at all. Veiled Alliance agents come from all classes, and some nevermaster anything more than a taste of arcane power.

VEILED ALLIANCE TRAITSSecondary Role: ControllerPower Source: ArcaneGranted Power: You gain the excise from sight power.

VEILED ALLIANCE POWERSThe following powers are available to any characterwho has chosen the Veiled Alliance theme.

Excise from Sight Veiled Alliance Feature

Magic removes all evidencefromyourfoe’s senses that you orone ofyour allies exists.

Encounter + Arcane, Implement, PsychicStandard Action Ranged 10Special: You can spend a minor action when you use this

power to enhance it. If you do so, you can also slide thetarget 1 square on a hit.

Target: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit: 1db + ability modifier psychic damage, and you or

one ally within 10 squares of you becomes invisible tothe target until the end of your next turn.Level 11: 2d1 0 + ability modifier psychic damage.Level 21: 3d1 0 + ability modifier psychic damage.


Veiled Arcana Veiled Alliance Utility 2

You distract observers to conceal the use ofarcane power,sometimes catching them offguard.~

Encounter + ArcaneMinor Action Close burst STarget: You or one ally you can see in burstEffect: The target gains combat advantage on his or her next

arcane attack before the end of your next turn.

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LEVEL 3 ENCOUNTER SPELL

Dazzling Flash Veiled Alliance Attack 3

Unleashing aflash of arcane magi~, you escape yourenemies’ clutches.

Encounter + Arcane, Implement, RadiantStandard Action Close blast 5Special: You can spend a minor action when you use this

power to enhance it. If you do so, the target cannot makeopportunity attacks or immediate action attacks until theend of your next turn instead of taking a penalty to attackrolls.

Effect: Before or after the attack, you can shift 3 squares.Target: Each enemy in blastAttack: Primary ability vs. FortitudeHit: 1 d8 + ability modifier radiant damage, and until the

end of your next turn the target is slowed and takes a-4 penalty to opportunity action and immediate actionattack rolls.

Level 13Hit: As above, but 2d8 + ability modifier radiant damage.

Level 23Hit As above, but 3d8 + ability ~modifier radiant damage.

LEVEL 5 DAILY SPELL

Psychic Veil Veiled Alliance Attack 5

A buzzing shroud issuesfromyour mind, convincing yourfoesthatyou are a powerful user ofpsionic power.

Daily + Arcane, Implement, PsychicStandard Action Close burst 5Special: You can spend a minor action when you use this

power to enhance it. If you do so, the target takes 5psychic damage each time it fails a saving throw againstthis power.

Target: Each enemy in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit 1 dl 0 + ability modifier psychic damage, and the tar

get is deafened and takes a -2 penalty to opportunity action and immediate action attack rolls (save ends both).

Miss: Half damage, and the target takes a -2 penalty to anycheck made to discern your use of arcane power until theend of the encounter.

Level 15Hit: As above, but 2d1 0 + ability modifier psychicdamage.

Level 25Hit: 3d1 0 + ability modifier damage, and the target is

dazed (save ends).

LEVEL 6 UTiLiTY SPELL

Veiled Escape Veiled Alliance Utility 6

Your subtle magic lends speed to an ally’sfret and calls up dustto conceal your ally’s movement.

Encounter + ArcaneMinor Action Ranged 5Target: You or one allyEffect: The next time the target shifts before the end

of your next turn, he or she can shift 2 additionalsquares and gain concealment until the end of his orher next turn.

Sandman’s Veil Veiled Alliance Attack 7

A spray ofmind stinging particles covers yourflightfrom danger.

Encounter + Arcane, Implement, Psychic, TeleportationStandard Action Close blast 3Special: You can spend a minor action when you use this

power to enhance it. If you do so, you can teleport 2squares instead of shifting 2 squares.

Effect: Before or after the attack, you can shift 2 squares.Target: Each enemy in blastAttack: Primary ability vs. ReflexHit 1 dl 0 + ability modifier psychic damage, and the

target cannot see anything farther than 2 squares awayuntil the end of your next turn.

LevelllHit: As above, but 2d1 0 + ability modifier psychic damage.

Level 27Hit: As above, but 3d1 0 + ability modifier psychicdamage.

LEVEL 9 DAILY SPELL

Sequestering Veil Veiled Alliance Attack 9

A sparkling mist covers1yourfoes and swirls around them,locking them in place and obscuring their vision.

Daily + Arcane, Implement, PsychicStandard Action Area burst 1 within 1 0 squaresSpecial: You can spend a minor action when you use this

power to enhance it. If you do so, the target takes a -2penalty to saving throws against this power.

Target: Each creature in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. FortitudeHit 2d6 + ability modifier psychic damage, and the target

is restrained and cannot teleport (save ends both). Untilthe target saves, all creatures that are not adjacent to ithave concealment against it.

Miss: Half damage, and the target is immobilized(save ends).

Level 19Hit As above, but 3d6 + ability modifier psychic damage.

Level 29Area burst 2 within 10 squaresHit: As above, but 4d6 + ability modifier psychic damage.

LEVEL 10 DAILY SPELL

Sensory Absorption Veiled Alliance Utility 10

Your senses ride atop your target’s senses, allowing you to gaina broader perspective.

Daily + ArcaneMinor Action Ranged 10Target: One creatureEffect: You can see and hear as if you were in the target’s

space (save ends).Aftereffect: You can see and hear as if you were in the

target’s space until the end of your next turn.

LEVEL 7 ENCOUNTER SPELL Uz

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ASTER PRESERVER“My path guides Athas back toward health. It does theoppositefor those who oppose me.”

Prerequisite: Arcane class

For most arcane spelicasters, the urge to defile is anever present temptation that whispers deep in theirsouls. The unseen life energy ofplants and animalsnearby sings with power as a spell is shaped, a ripefruit waiting to be plucked and savored. Far too manyspeilcasters see no reason to resist, and they eagerly ripaway the life essence to fuel their magic, but those whochoose the preserver’s path carefully shape their spellsaround this fragile aura, drawing a little energy frommany different places, and never so much that the lifethat it emanates from is harmed or extinguished.

In this delicate give-and take of spellcasting, themaster preserver is an arcanist who has developeda perfect sense for the balance of destruction andpower. Whereas other casters struggle to maintaintheir discipline and must consciously control theirimpulse to drink too deeply of the fragile energyaround them, the master preserver’s self-control,experience, and intuitive grasp of the subtle currentsat play allow him to instantly shape his spells withoutfear of defiling. In fact, the master preserver’s skilland precision are so great that he can often matchthe raw power of the most reckless defilers withoutharming a single blade ofgrass.

~ -~••,~

When you choose the master preserver’s path, youturn your back on defiling forever. From that day forward, the whispers of temptation hold no more powerover you. But in exchange, your sacrifices have ledyou to a place where you need to give less to performyour magic; the world now gives you a little back. Ifthis situation isn’t confirmation ofyour path’s integrity, what else could be?

MASTER PRESERVER

PATH FEATURESBlessing of the Land (11th level): You can no

longer use arcane defiling. In addition, you gain a +2bonus to Endurance, Nature, and Perception checks.

Master Preserver’s Action (11th level): Whenyou spend an action point to make an arcane attack,you can choose to reroll one attack roll or damage rolland use either result.

Surging Vitality (16th level): Whenever youspend a healing surge, one ally within 10 squares ofyou regains hit points equal to twice your primaryability modifier. In addition, you gain a +1 bonus toattack rolls with arcane attack powers until the end ofyour next turn.

MASTER PRESERVER SPEIIS

Vital Spell Master Preserver Attack 11

Your mastery ofpreserving allows you to conserve thefleetingvitality ofyour enemy to invigorate an ally.

Encounter + Arcane, HealingStandard Action PersonalEffect: You can use one of your arcane at-will attack

powers as a free action. If you hit, you deal 1 dl 0 extradamage, and you or one ally within 10 squares of youcan spend a healing~ge.

Life Shield Master Preserver Utility 1 2

You shield your ally’s life with your arcane energy.

Encounter + ArcaneImmediate Interrupt Close burst 5Trigger: An ally in burst takes damage from an attack.Effect: The damage the ally takes is reduced by 10 + your

primary ability modifier.

Light of the Lost Sun Master Preserver Attack 20

You radiate scintillating light that,burns into the minds ofyourenemies andfills your allies with light and life.

Daily + Arcane, Healing, Implement, Radiant, ZoneStandard Action Close burst 5Target: Each enemy in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit: 2d1 0 + ability modifier radiant damage, and the tar

get takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls and cannot rechargepowers (save ends both).

Effect: The attack creates a zone that lasts until the end ofthe encounter or until you dismiss it as a free action. Whenyou move, the zone moves with you, remaining centeredon you. Any ally within the zone who hits with an attackdeals 2d6 extra radiant damage or regains hit points equalto your primary ability modifier.


VEILED GUARDIAN“Arcane power steadies my mind andfocuses my defenses.Those who are with me need notfear the battle’s outcome.”

Prerequisite: Veiled Alliance theme

Preservers of the Veiled Alliance lead the way forspeilcasters everywhere, keeping the only honorable path of arcane power alive. And yet as powerfulas they are, most of them need stalwart warriors tohold back the enemy while they work their magic.Protecting preservers is a duty of all who considerthemselves members of the Veiled Alliance.

You have taken this tenet to heart and become itsembodiment. Involvement with preservers has taughtyou much. Your training with the Alliance has honedyour skills so that you can disable any adversary. Thispractice might have even made you into a preserverproper, if you weren’t one before.

Now you are an elite defender of the Alliance andits goals, an ideal example of the preserving way. Youweave arcane power to give your allies the openingsthey need. So that you and your allies can succeed,you hinder the enemy with specialized techniques.Victory is sometimes defined as mere survival or adaring escape, but preventing enemies of the Alliancefrom doing harm or making their own getaway iseven better. Few do that better than you.

VEiLED GUARDiAN PATH FEATURESAlliance-Trained Mind (11th level): You gain

a +1 bonus to Will and a +2 bonus to Insight checksand Perception checks.

Veiled Defender’s Action (11th level): Whenyou spend an action point, one enemy adjacent to youis marked by you and grants combat advantage (saveends both).

Marked Preservation (16th level): When anally makes an arcane attack against a creature adjacent to you, you can mark that creature until the endofyour next turn.

VEiLED GUARDiAN SPELLS

Soul-Veiling Strike Veiled Guardian Attack 11

Using special techniques, you deliver a blow that wounds thebody, mind, and soul.

Encounter + Arcane, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponSpecial: You can spend a minor action when you use this

power to enhance it. If you do so and your attack hits, oneally adjacent to the target can shift 1 square.

Target: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 2[W] + ability modifier damage, and you mark the

target until the end of your next turn. Until the markends, the target can use only at-will powers and cannotrecharge powers.

Guardian Dash Veiled Guardian Utility 12

Your eldritch might threatens to knockaside those who stand inyour path as you chase down achosen adversary.

Encounter + Arcane, WeaponMove Action PersonalEffect: You move your speed to a square adjacent to an

enemy. You mark that’enemy unt!l the end of your nextturn. You have resist 1 Q to al! damage during this movement, and each enemy that makes an opportunity attackagainst you during this movement isknocked prone.

Veiled Guardian Stance Veiled Guardian Attack 20

With a vicious sweep ofyour weapon, you attract the attentionofall nearby enemies. Leaving your presence is asking for swtftpunishment. ..

Daily + Weapon, StanceStandard Action Close burst 1Special: You can spend a minor action when you use this

power to enhance it. If you do so, you gain a +2 powerbonus to the melee basic attack rolls granted by thisstance.

Target: Each creature in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 2[W] + ability modifierdamage, and you mark the

target (save ends).Miss: Half damage, and you mark the target until the end of

your next turn.Effect: You can assume the veiled guardian stance. Until

the stance ends, when a targetof this power markedby you leaves a square adjacent to.you, you can make amelee basic attack against the targetas an opportunityaction. If your attack hits~the target cannot leave thesquare until the start of its next turn.


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WASTELAND NOMAD“I would rather die in the desertfreefrom tyranny than dieunder a sorcerer-king’s booted heel.”

Civilization huddles behind the towering walls of theSeven Cities, citizens and slaves alike subject to thetyrannical sorcerer-kings and their power-mad templars. Life in the dusty streets of the cities might beeasy compared to the harsh barrens ofAthas, but thecomfort and security the sorcerer-kings offer come ata terrible price. Freedom is just a dream, and countless thousands endure crushing poverty and injusticebecause it is the only way they know how to live. Onlyin the wide deserts and trackless wastelands beyondthe grasp of the sorcerer-kings’ rule can people trulybe free. The nomads’ lives are hard, but they aretheirs to lead—or spend—as they see fit.

The Tyr Region is home to hundreds ofwandering bands of herders, hunters, and scavengers ekingout hardscrabble lives from the deserts. Nomadictribes roam the stony barrens and crisscross thesandy wastes as they follow kank herds or seek outnew water sources. Owing no allegiance to any butthemselves, they are the only Athasians (other thanthe recently freed people ofTyr) who know freedom’ssweet taste. Many nomadic tribes have rejected thecity-states for generations, surviving despite thehardships by learning the desert’s secrets and mastering the survival techniques needed to provide thebare essentials.

In addition to those who are born to the nomadiclife, there is no shortage of fugitives from the citieswho hope to join them. Deserters, escaped slaves, andother refugees flee their homelands and the fate theywould face if they stayed, preferring to risk their livesin the certain hardship and probable death the wastelands promise. Some find new homes alongside thenomadic tribes. Others go it alone, becoming hermits.But the desert claims most, with thirst, hunger, andexposure taking their toll until nothing remains buta slow, lingering death. Those who survive this grimtest of survival are the toughest, the strongest, andthe most willing to do what they must to meet whatever struggle they face.

The sorcerer-kings loathe the wasteland nomads,seeing them as nothing more than rabble and brigands who thieve and murder to make ends meet. Intheir eyes, the nomads are a cancer, weakening thesorcerer-kings’ legitimate governments. Nomad tribesmust contend not only with the environment, but alsowith the city-states’ armies and patrols, which rangethe lands to round up new slaves to toil or fight or die,depending on the templar who seizes them. For thisreason, and of course the never-ending quest for foodand water, nomads must stay on the move.


BUILDING AWASTELAND NOMADYou come from the deadly lands beyond the SevenCities, and you derive power from the primal energythat still thrives in those regions. Barbarians, seekers,and other primal characters are common among thewasteland nomads, but heroes of any power sourcecan emerge from the deserts ofAthas. Rangers androgues rely on their tricks and talents for survival.Monks appreciate the solitude of the wild. Ardents,battleminds, and psions perfect their mental disciplines away from the rule of the sorcerer-kings.

WASTELAND NOMAD TRAITSSecondary Role: StrikerPower Source: PrimalGranted Power: You gain the wasteland fury power.

WASTELAND NOMADPOWERSThe following powers are available to any characterwho has chosen the wasteland nomad theme.

Wasteland Fury Wasteland Nomad Feature

You catch the merciless sun’s cruel radiance in your weaponand redirect it to dazzle yourfoe, covering your movement.

Encounter + Primal, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponEffect: If you use this power while you are not adjacent to

any of your allies, you can shift 1 square before or after theattack.

Target: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 1 [WI + ability modifier damage. If you have combat

advantage against the target, you deal extra damageequal to your primary ability modifier.Level II: 2[Wj + ability modifier damage.Level 21: 3[W] + ability modifier damage.

LEVEI. 2 UT1UTY EvocATioN

Lone Resolve Wasteland Nomad Utility 2

Isolation clarifies your senses, helping you to shrug offyourenemies’ attacks.

Daily + PrimalFree Action PersonalTrigger: You start your turn while you are not adjacent to

any of your allies.Effect: You can make a saving throw with a bonus equal to

your primary ability modifier. If the saving throw fails, youdo not expend this power.

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LEVEL 3 ENCOUNTER EvocATioN LEVEL 7 ENCOUNTER EvocATioN

LEVEL S DAiLY EVOCATION

Melee or Ranged weapon

LEVEL 6 UTILITY EVOCATION

turn.

Lone Nomad

Melee weapon

Wasteland Nomad Utility 10

.Stalking the Prey Wasteland Nomad Attack 3

ou see agap inyourfoe’s defenses and deliver an attack thateaves your enemy reeling and unable to protect itself

Encounter + Primal, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. AC. If none of your allies are

adjacent to you or the target, you gain combat advantageon the attack.

Hit: 2[W] + ability modifier damage, and you gain combatadvantage against the target until the end of your nextturn.



Nomad’s Pursuit Wasteland Nomad Attack 5

Flensing Wind Strike Wasteland Nomad Attack 7

Your attack creates a sandstorm around thefoe, shredding itsflesh until it escapes.

Encounter + Primal, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit 1 [W] + ability modifier damage. If the target doesn’t

move at least 2 squares during its next turn, it takes extradamage equal to 5 + your primary ability modifier at theend of its turn.


Level 27Hit As above, but 3[Wj + ability modifier damage.

LEVEL 9 DAILY EVOCATION

Monstrous Savagery Wasteland Nomad Attack 9

Bloodlust drives you into a wildfrenzy, and your attacksfallwith shocking power.

Daily 4 Primal, WeaponStandard ActionTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. AC, two attacks. If none of your

allies are adjacent to you, make three attacks instead.Hit 5 + ability modifier damage per attack, and the target

takes a penalty to attack rolls equal to the number oftimes you hit it with this power (save ends).

Miss: Half damage.Level 19

Attack: As above, but Primary ability + 2 vs. AC,two attacks.

Level 29Attack: As above, but Primary ability + 2 vs. AC,

two attacks.Hit: As above, but 10 + ability modifier damage per attack.

LEVEL 10 UTILITY EVOCAT1ON

You catchyour prey’s scent. No matter where itflees, youwillfollow.

Daily 4 Primal, WeaponStandard ActionTarget One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit 2[W] + ability modifier damage.Miss: Half damage.Effect: Until the end of the encounter, whenever you start

your turn and you are not adjacent to the target or anyally, you can shift a number of squares equal to yourprimary ability modifier as a free action. This movementignores difficult terrain. You must end this shift closer tothe target.

Level 15Hit: 31W] + ability modifier damage.

Level 25Hit 4[W] + ability modifier damage.

Dune Dancer Wasteland Nomad Utility 6

You roll with the attack, taking a better position where you arebound to make your enemy pay.

Encounter 4 PrimalImmediate Reaction PersonalTrigger: An enemy hits you with an attack while you are not

adjacent to any of your allies.Target: The triggering enemyEffect As a free action, you shift a number of squares

equal to your primary ability modifier. You gain combatadvantage against the target until the end of your next

You’re toughest whenyou’re all alone.

Daily + Primal, StanceMinor Action PersonalEffect: You assume the lone nomad’s stance. Until the

stance ends, you have resist 7 to all damage. If you endyour turn adjacent to an ally, this stance ends.


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DUNE STRIDER“The templars say otherwise, but there is lift in the desert.More than l~fr, there is alsofreedom.”

Prerequisite: Wasteland nomad theme

The endless deserts, shattered mountains, andbroken landscape are home to more than just rubbleand debris. Life survives despite the challenges,as proven by the desert snakes, the dune mice, thescrabbling lizards, the burgeoning cacti, and more.As the nomadic tribes well know, life might be easierin some ways in the city-states, but it’s not impossiblein the wastelands ifyou know what to look for andwhat to do. Yet there are greater secrets than theseguarded by the land’s spirits. Through long sojournsin the deserted places of the world and years of studying the land’s mysteries, you have acquired the skillsneeded to subsist in the most barren environments.No land, no matter how desolate, poses so great adanger as to bar your passage.

As a dune strider, you are the living embodimentofwanderlust. The dust of a dozen cities and villageslies under your sandals; from the Ringing Mountainsto the Sea of Silt, from the Endless Sand Dunes to theRoad of Fire, you mean to take in all the splendorsofAthas in good time. You witness the world froma unique perspective, seeing its beauty as well as itsdesolation, believing the possibility that the wrongsdone to it can one day be righted. The land’s spiritsoffer you their power to aid in this restoration and


help you to punish those who worsen the world andbring it ever closer to annihilation.

DUNE STRIDER PATH FEATURESDune Strider Action (11th level): When you

spend an action point to take an extra action, untilthe start ofyour next turn you gain a +2 bonus to alldefenses and you ignore difficult terrain.

Waste Walker (11th level): You gain a +2 bonusto Endurance checks and Nature checks.

You gain a bonus to Fortitude against attacks fromdiseases (including sun sickness) equal to your primary ability modifier.

Finally, when traveling overland, you and all allieswho can see you gain a +2 bonus to speed and needonly half the usual survival day requirements (seepage 198).

Shifting Sands (16th level): Whenever youshift, you gain concealment against enemies adjacentto you at the end of the shift until the start ofyournext turn.

DUNE STRiDER EvocATioNsScreaming Sand Strike Dune Strider Attack 11

The wind howls when your weapon connects, as the desertspirits clamorfor blood to quench their bitter thirst.

Encounter + Primal, Thunder, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 1 [WI + ability modifier thunder damage, and the tar

get is blinded until the end of your next turn.Effect: You gain concealment until the end of your next turn.

Dust Storm Dance Dune Strider Utility 12

You become a raging dust storm, sending your enemiesstumbling as you sweep across the battlefield.

Encounter + PrimalMove Action PersonalEffect: You swap places with a creature of your size or

smaller within 3 squares of you. Then you can swap places with a different creature of your size or smaller within3 squares of you. Each creature you swap places withgrants combat advantage until the end of your next turn.

Bane of the Crimson Sun Dune Strider Attack 20

The accursed sun lends strength to your attack, leaving yourenemy gasping beneath its punishing heat.

Daily + Fire, Primal, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 2[W] + ability modifier damage, and the target is

weakened (save ends). Each time the target fails this saving throw, it takes 10 fire damage and is knocked prone.

Miss: Half damage, and the target is weakened until the endof your next turn.

SAND REAVER“Before I’m done, I’ll kill yourfriends,yourfamily, evenyour kank. I’ll rip up every stone, tear down every building.I won’t stop until you and everyone you love are dead.”

Prerequisite: Wasteland nomad theme

The deserts ofAthc.s are breeding grounds for raiders, brigands, and bloodthirsty savages ofall kinds.In a world where it takes backbreaking labor toscratch out a living from the dusty soil and countlesspeople live under the shadow of famine and starvation, many creatures find it easier to get what theyneed by taking it from others. Most sand reaversoperate in small bands, since large tribes can’t support themselves on the slim pickings of the deserts.Other reavers move from band to band and region toregion, seeking out the easiest prey and most reliablecompanions they can find. Life among the maraudingtribes is often brutal and short; the day a warrior failsto keep up with the march or take his next meal fromthe tribe’s latest victim is the day he is left behind,abandoned to his fate.

As a sand reaver, you are a wolf of the wilderness,a lean and hungry predator. You are familiar with theharsh laws of the desert bands and always ready toreact to sudden violence—or begin it, if need be. Youare regarded as an outlaw and an enemy to all civilized creatures, and your life is forfeit in any city-stateyou enter ifyou are identified for who and what youare. The best ofyour kind are outlaws with a glimmer of purpose and a rough code of honor, sworn toprotect each other and to steal only from those who

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have goods to spare. The worst are rabid jhakars andragged kestrekels without a single redeeming virtue.Where you fall on this scale is, of course, up to you.

Whether you chose a life in the desert or found itforced on you, your experiences leave you changed.Your softness, mercy, and empathy are gone, and intheir place is only ruthless determination. But yourstruggles leave you stronger, tougher, and better ableto withstand any difficulty you encounter. Above all,you are a survivor, and the wastes are your home.

SAND REAVER PATH fEATURESBloodlust Action (11th level): When you spend

an action point to make an attack, you gain a +2 bonusto any attack roll made against a bloodied target.

Relentless Reaver (11th level): You add yourprimary ability modifier to your healing surge value.

Unspeakable Bloodlust (16th level): Wheneveryou hit a bloodied creature with a melee attack, thatcreature takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls until theend ofyour next turn.

SAND REAVER EVOCATIONS

Reckless Fury Sand Reaver Attack 11

Friend andfoe alike mustflee to escape your wild rage andwhirling weapons. V

Encounter + Primal, WeaponStandard Action Close burst 1Target: Each creature in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 2[WJ + ability modifier damage. If the target ends its

next turn adjacent to you, it provokes an opportunityattack from you.

Effect: You grant combat advantage until the start of yournext turn.

Bloody Harvest Sand Reaver Utility 1 2

Eachfoe you drop adds power to your destructive melee attacks.

Daily + Primal, StanceMinor Action PersonalEffect: You assume the bloody han,est stance. Until the

stance ends, each time you reduce an enemy to 0 hitpoints with a melee weapon attack, you gain a bonus tothe next damage roll you make with a melee weaponattack before the end of your hext turn. The bonus equalsyour primar~y ability modifier.

Reaving Brutality Sand Reaver Attack 20

Your brutal attack leaves the enemy with a dWicult choicestand andfight, orflee the battlefield.

Daily + Healing, Primal, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 4[W] + ability modifier damage, and the target cannot

shift (save ends).Miss: Half damage, and the target cannot shift until the end

ofyournextturn. -

Effect: If the target is bloodied but still conscious after youuse this power,you can spend a healing surge as a freeaction.

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“I have no idea why my mind holds such power. Some claimthat everyone on Athas has a psionic capacity, but mustfirst unlock the secrets of the Way.”

Throughout the world, from city-states to slave tribesto nomadic clans in the wastes, people spontaneouslydevelop psionic abilities. Without formal training,these wilders manifest blunt, simple disciplines.Though well-trained savants scoff at the crudeness ofthe wilders’ techniques, they are well aware ofhowpowerful an unleashed mind brimming with psionicenergy can be. Some wilders create bursts of fireor magical force, making their thoughts incarnate.Others batter through their enemies’ mental defensesand cause grievous psionic anguish. A wilder isn’tlimited solely to outward manifestations ofpower,though. Many first learn how to alter their ownbodies to make them far tougher, quicker, or strongerthan normal. Wilders are most potent when they harness “psychic surges,” brief flashes ofpsionic energythat ripple through their minds and temporarilyheighten their psionic abilities.

In the city-states, people see wilders as dangerousand unreliable. All too often an untrained wilder useshis or her ability against unsuspecting neighbors, orloses control of a power barely held in check—withdisastrous consequences. In many cities, templarsscour the children of nobles and commoners alikefor signs ofpsionic power, and see to it that thesediscoveries are carefully trained to control theirgifts and guard against disaster. Outside the cities,it’s a different story. The psychic surges that wildersmanifest are simply another advantage in the fightfor survival in the savage lands outside the sorcerer-kings’ domains. Each tribe treasures any wilders thatappear within its ranks. As long as they help out,they’re treated well.

Becoming a wilder requires no formal training. Infact, trying to control and develop psychic surges cancause those powers to function poorly. A wilder mightpractice blasting rocks to learn how to manifest his orher inherent disciplines quickly and in the right spot,but that’s all there is to it. Concentration is vital to awilder, but mentors and formulas are worthless.


BUILDING A WILDERAnyone who manifests natural psionic ability withoutneeding training could be a wilder. Wilders appear inall places and among all social strata. Your charactermight be a slave or a gladiator who has unnaturaldurability and stamina, a noble who got a head starton your psionic education by using your psychicsurge, or a tribal leader who won a high place amongyour people by demonstrating your psionic powers.

WILDER TRAITSSecondary Role: StrikerPower Source: PsionicGranted Power: You gain the psychic surge power.

WILDER POWERSThe following powers are available to any characterwho has chosen the wilder theme.

Psychic Surge Wilder Feature

You unleash a psychic shock wave at your enemy, hoping toharness its energy onyour next attack.

Encounter + Implement, Psionic, PsychicStandard Action Ranged 10Target One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ReflexHit 1 d8 + ability modifier psychic damage, and your

attacks against the target before the end of your nextturn can score a critical hit on a roll of 18-20.Level II: 2d8 + ability modifier psychic damage.Level2I: 3d8 + ability modifier psychic damage.

LEVEL 2 UTILiTY DISCIPLINE

Wilder’s Armor Wilder Utility 2You instinctually reinforce your skin with psionic plates asstrong as chitin.

Encounter + PsionicMinor Action PersonalEffect: You gain a +2 power bonus to all defenses until the

end of your next turn. If you score a critical hit before theend of your next turn, you also gain temporary hit pointsequal to 5 + your primary ability modifier.

WILDER

Wildfire Bolt Wilder Attack 3

Your mind unleashes a tearing rift offire that sears yourenemy and scatters a cloud of embers into the air.

Encounter + Fire, Implement, Psionic, PsychicStandard Action Ranged 10Target: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ReflexHit 2d6 + ability modifier psychic damage. If you score a

critical hit with this power, the target and each enemyadjacent to the target take ongoing 5 fire damage (saveends).

Level 13Hit 3d6 + ability modifier psychic damage. If you score a

critical hit with this power, the target and each enemyadjacent to the target take ongoing 10 fire damage(save ends).

Level 23Hit 4d6 + ability modifier psychic damage. If you score a

critical hit with this power, the targetand each enemyadjacent to the target take ongoing 1 5 fire damage(save ends).

LEVEL 5 DAILY D1scIPuNE

Psionic Shelter Wilder Attack 5

A shield offorce eruptsfromyour thoughts, protecting youand slamming into yourfoes.

Daily + Force, Implement, Psionic, PsychicImmediate Reaction Close burst 2Trigger: An enemy in burst damages you with an attack.Target Each creature in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit 2d8 + ability modifier force damage, and you push the

target 2 squares.Miss: Half damage.Effect You gain a +2 power bonus to all defenses until

the end of your next turn. Each time you score a criticalhit while under the effect of this power, you extend theduration of the power bonus to all defenses until the endof your next turn and increase the power bonus by 1, andeach enemy within 5 squares of you takes 5psychic damage.

Level 15Hit: 3d8 + ability modifier force damage, and you push

the target 3 squares.Level 25

Hit 5d8 ÷ ability modifier force damage, and you pushthe target 4 squares.

LEVEL 6 UTiLiTY DISCIPLiNE

Wild Repulsion Wilder Utility 6

Physical shields manifest around your body, dampening attacks.

Daily + Psionic, StanceMinor Action PersonalEffect: You assume the wild repulsion stance. Until the

stance ends, you gain resist 5 to all damage. Once perturn, when you score a critical hit with an attack, youincrease the resistance by 1, to a maximum of 10.

Mind Clash Wilder Attack 7

Youfully unleash the power ofyour mind, crushing yourenemy’s will with your reckless, savage onslaught.

Encounter + Implement, Psionic, PsychicStandard Action Ranged 10Target One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit 2d8 + ability modifier psychic damage. If you score

a critical hit with this power, the target takes 10 extrapsychic damage and is dazed until the end of your nextturn.

Level 17Hit 3d8 + ability modifier psychic damage. If you score

a critical hit with this power, the target takes 15 extrapsychic damage and is dazed until the end of yournext turn.

Level 27Hit 4d8 + ability modifier psychic damage. If you score

a critical hit with this power, the target takes 20 extrapsychic damage and is dazed until the end of yournext turn.

LEVEL 9 DAiLY DISCiPLINE

Chaotic Thoughts Wilder Attack 9

You assault your enemy’s mind with confusing thoughts, and itharms its own psyche as it tries to breakfreefrom your control.

Daily + Implement, Psionic, PsychicStandard Action Ranged 10Target One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit 1 d8 + ability modifier psychic damage.Effect: The target takes ongoing 5 psychic damage (save

ends). Each time the target fails a saving throw against theongoing damage, it takes damage equal to the result ofthe saving throw. If you score a critical hit with any attackwhile the target is still affected by this power, the target isdazed until the end of your next turn.

Level 19Hit 3d8 + ability modifier psychic damage.Effect: As above, but ongoing 10 psychic damage

(save ends).Level 29

Hit: 4d8 + ability modifier psychic damage.Effect: As above, but ongoing 1 5 psychic damage

(save ends).

LEVEL 10 UTiLiTY DiScIPLiNE

Psychic Feedback Wilder Utility 10

A mental shield emanates psychicfredback against those whoattack you.

Encounter + Psionic, Psychic, StanceMinor Action - PersonalEffect: You assume the stance of psychic defense. Until the

stance ends, when you’re damaged by an attack, the attacker takes 5 psychic damage. When you score a criticalhit with an attack, you can end the stance as a free actionto deal 10 extra psychic damage on that attack.


LEVEL 3 ENCOUNTER DisciPLiNE LEVEL 7 ENCOUNTER DisciPLiNE

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RESURGENT WiLDER“I will stand! I willfight! Ifevery bone in my body breaksand the sandstorm strips myflesh, still I will stand andfight!”

Prerequisite: Wilder theme

Practitioners of the Way form connections betweentheir minds and bodies that allow them to go beyondtheir physical limits. Wilders with strong inborntalents have the strongest connection, and hurtingsuch an individual causes his or her psionic powerto flare even brighter. Some wilders have returnedafter being exiled to the desert, walking tall whenthey should be nothing but piles ofpicked-cleanbones. Others have become notorious for their battleprowess, taking on wave after wave of enemies anddispatching each more viciously than the last.

As your foes attack, your mind surges and you feelyour muscles and senses burn with new strength.With every cut and bruise you suffer, more powerrushes over you, making your mind more dangerousand protecting or healing your damaged body.

RESURGENT WILDERPATH FEATURES

Reinvigorating Surge (11th level): Wheneveryou score a critical hit, you can spend a healing surge.

Volatile Action (11th level): When you spendan action point to make an extra attack, until the endofyour next turn attacks against targets of that extraattack can score a critical hit on a roll of 19-20.

Volatile Surges (16th level): Your at-willpsionic attack powers can score a critical hit on aroll of 18-20.

RESURGENT WILDER DIScIPLiNEs

Resurgent Repulsion Resurgent Wilder Attack 11

After suffering your opponents’ attacks, you strike back,fryingone with a psychic assault that prevents itfrom concentrating.

Encounter + Implement, Psionic, PsychicStandard Action Ranged 10Target One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. WillHit: 3d8 + ability modifier psychic damage, and the target

is slowed and takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls againstyou until the end of your next turn. If this attack is acritical hit, the target is also dazed (save ends).

Critical InsightYouforeseeyour enemy’s doom.

Resurgent Wilder Utility 1 2

Daily + PsionicMinor Action Close burst 5Target: One enemy in burstEffect: Until the end of your next turn, when you or any

ally hits the target with an attack, you can choose to endthis effect and make that attack a critical hit.

Shards of Strength Resurgent Wilder Attack 20

Your psionic power overcomes all restraints,flooding out andmanifesting shards ofpsionicforce that surround your body.

Daily + Force, Implement, PsionicStandard Action Close burst 1Target: Each enemy in burstAttack: Primary ability vs. ReflexHit: 3d8 + ability modifier force damage. The target takes

ongoing 5 damage, and attacks against the target canscore a critical hit on a roll of 1 8-20 (save ends both).

Miss: Half damage.


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WIELDER 0 THE WAY“I bind my rage to my blade, and I will bring it back withinmy mind only when it has slaked its thirstforyour blood.”

Prerequisite: Wilder theme or battlemind

The desperate conditions on Athas call for desperatemeasures. Wielders of the Way use slivers cut fromtheir own minds to strengthen their armaments.Theexchange is worth its price, since it lets them disorient and destroy their foes. They can always reclaimthe mental fragments, though some wielders of theWay consider certain emotions to be liabilities andbelieve life runs smoother without those feelings cluttering their minds.

You entrust the wild, untamed parts ofyourself toyour weapon, mentally fracturing your personalityand reinforcing your weapon—whether it’s an obsidian sword, a bone axe, or a rock warhammer withthat emotion. Though you still have a faint connectionto that piece ofyour mind (at least enough to replaceit later), you do have difficulty expressing the emotionassociated with that fragment. Your allies find youinscrutable, wondering how you can fight with suchferocity while keeping a placid demeanor, or whyyour expressions and speech seem calm while you’repursuing stronger and stronger foes.

WIn.DER OF THE WAY

PATH FEATURESFragment of the Way (11th level): You remove

an aspect ofyour psyche and bind it to your weapon.Whenever you take a short rest, you can choose toexpend 1 power point at the end of that short rest. Ifyou do so, until you rest again the next weapon attackyou make that hits deals 1[Wj extra damage to onetarget hit by the attack.

Paragon Power Points (11th level): You gain 2additional power points.

Wielder’s Action (11th level): When you spendan action point to make an extra attack, you regain 1power point.

The Way Made Real (16th level): When you hita target with an augmented psionic weapon attackpower, you gain a +2 bonus to saving throws until thestart ofyour next turn. You can gain this bonus onlyonce per turn.

WIn.DER OF THE WAY DIsciPLINEs

Impose Your Will Wielder of the Way Attack 11

As your weapon strikes home, the aspect ofyour psyche imbuedinto your weapon burns into yourfoe’s mind and influencesits actions.

Encounter + Psionic, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit 2[W] ÷ ability modifier damage, and the target grants

combat advantage until the end of your next turn.Augment 2

Hit: 2[Wl + ability modifier damage. Until the end of yournext turn, the target grants combat advantage and anyattack it makes provokes opportunity attacks.

Rebind the Will Wielder of the Way Utility 12

You imbue your weapon with more of the untamed parts ofyourpsyche, transferring those reckless emotions to your enemies.

Encounter + PsionicMinor Action Melee touchTarget: One weapon you are wieldingEffect: The next melee weapon attack you make with the

target weapon dazes any creature it hits until the end ofyour next turn.

Subjugate the Will Wielder of the Way Attack 20

With a vicious attack, youfully embed thefacet ofyour soul intoyourfoe, overtaking itsmind.

Daily + Charm, Psionic, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Primary ability vs. ACHit: 2[W1 + ability modifier damage.Effect: The target is dominated (save ends). While it is

dominated, the target gains a bonus to attack rolls equal toyour primary ability modifier.

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CHAPTER 4

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CHARACTER OPTioNS;L..~, $

“Athas is a barbaric shadow ofsome better world. All theraces are but brutal descendants ofworthier ancestors. Theessence ofevery living thing has been warped to make it

more vicious, more cunning, and more terrifying than itslong-vanishedforebears.”

—The Wanderer’s Journal

Adventurers on Athas face many dangers, from thecruel sorcerer-kings to the merciless wastes. Yet thosewho pursue great destinies must surmount extraordinary risks. Sometimes adventurers find gratitudefrom those they champion. At other times, heroesare a source of fear and suspicion, for Athas rarelyrewards trust or hope.

As a heroic adventurer on Athas, you have advantages that others lack. You have developed yourtalents and honed your skills to set yourself apartfrom the average person. You are equipped to liveoutside the rule of the city-states, eking out an existence in the wastes or eluding your enemies in theteeming city streets.

This chapter provides more tools to tailor yourcharacter to the DARK SUN setting. You’ll find thesesections in the following pages.

+ Arcane Magic: Rules for how arcane magic functions on Athas, including defiling and preserving.

+ Wild Talents: An optional rule that providescharacters with a minor psionic trick.

+ New Builds: The wild battlemind, the arenafighter, the animist shaman, and the sorcerer kingpact warlock are new class builds suited to theDARK SUN setting.

Epic Destinies: Characters who survive longenough to change the course ofhistory gain destinies worthy of their accomplishments. A heromight bring light and hope as an avangion, orunleash destruction as a dragon king.

Feats: This section includes feats for races thatappear on Athas. It also provides feats to supportthe character themes presented in Chapter 3. Inaddition, an array of feats opens the door to theexotic arsenal used in the arenas ofAthas.

+ Rituals: The unusual challenges and harsh terrain ofAthas require new or modified rituals.

+ Equipment: New equipment to enable your char- ~acter’s survival under the crimson sun.

CHAPTER 4 Character Options78

ARCANE MAGiCOn Athas, arcane magic draws on the vitality ofplants, animals, and minor primal spirits. But if apractitioner draws too deeply, the life form fuelingthe spell might be damaged or destroyed. This act ofdestruction is called defiling. The greater the spell,the more widespread the damage is. Defiling is amajor cause for the worldS’s foul condition. Otherpower sources do not have this corrupting effect onthe environment.

An Athasian spellcaster has a choice betweendefiling and preserving. Defiling is easy and intoxicating, but it destroys or damages the life fromwhich a spell draws power. Preserving is difficultand requires care, and it avoids harming the worldaround the caster. When you begin as a spellcaster,you might dabble in both arts, or you could let yourmorals or needs dictate your choices. Eventually, youruse or rejection ofdefiling defines you as a defiler ora preserver.

DEFILING AND PRESERVINGWhen you use any arcane power, you can choose todefile, destroying mundane plant life within at least1 square ofyou. When you use a daily arcane attackpower, the damage to the world extends out a numberof squares equal to half the level of the power you use.This destruction does not normally affect creatures orterrain, though defiled squares might become defiledterrain (described in the Dark Sun Creature Catalog) atthe Dungeon Master’s discretion. You are consideredto be preserving unless you choose to defile.

Ifyou have at least one arcane daily attack power,you gain the arcane defiling power.

Arcane Defiling Arcane Feature

You draw upon the vitality ofnearby lift tofuel your magic,heedless of the harm you cause to the land and your allies.

At-Will + Arcane, NecroticFree Action PersonalTrigger: You make an attack roll or a damage roll as part of

an arcane daily attack power.Effect: You can reroll the triggering roll but must use the

second result. In addition, each ally (willing or unwilling)within 20 squares of you takes necrotic damage equal tohalf his or her healing surge value. This damage ignoresimmunities and cannot be reduced in any way.

Special: You can use this effect once for any arcane dailyattack power you use, affecting any single attack roll or thedamage roll for that power.

CHAPTER 4 Character Options

THE DEFn.ER’S PATHThe easiest and most expedient path to power is defiling. Characters can use arcane defiling to alter theoutcome of their most powerful spells by ruthlesslydrawing vitality from nearby life forms. Many defilersdestroy their surroundings even when performingminor spells. They relish the rush of power and theintimidating effect.

Defiling transforms small plants and vital nutrients in the soil into ash. Larger plants blacken andbecome brittle, often dying days later. The residueof these destroyed life forms is inert, leaving defiledlands barren and scarred for decades. Creatures withwhom a defiler shares a mental or an emotional connection, such as allies or slaves, are wracked withpain as a defiler draws power. The most powerfuldefilers can use the act of defiling as a weapon, harming those with whom they share no connection.

THE PRESERVER’S PATHPreservers believe that preserving is its own reward,given the state of the world. Through discipline, apreserver draws arcane power carefully instead oftearing it from the environment. Thus, a preservercan use spells without harming plant life. After finishing a spell, a preserver returns any excess energyto the environment. The most committed preserverseventually give up the ability to defile.

DISGUISING ARCANEPOWERSArcane magic is illegal and can attract hostility, so aspellcaster often needs to conceal its use. When youuse an arcane power without using arcane defiling, youcan disguise the magic as another type of power, suchas primal or psionic. Most people can’t distinguishbetween types of magic. The Dungeon Master mightrequire a Bluff check to disguise arcane magic whenit is performed in the presence of enemies familiarwith psionic or arcane power, such as templars, defilers, or nobles. If a spellcaster is defiling, he or shecannot disguise the arcane magic because of the visible effect on the environment.

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WiLD TALENTSPsionic energy suffuses Athas, making it the mostcommon and accessible power source. Most inhabitants ofAthas are born with some small aptitude forpsionics. In time, these abilities develop into psionictricks called wild talents.

At the Dungeon Master’s discretion, a player canselect one wild talent when he or she creates a character for a DARK SUN campaign.

A character can also gain wild talents by takingthe Wild Talent Master feat (page 113).

Body Equilibrium Wild Talent Cantrip

You sense how to shift your weightfrom step to step, stayingatop a tricky surface.

At-Will + PsionicMove Action PersonalEffect: You move your speed. During the move, you gain a

+5 power bonus to Acrobatics checks to balance and donot sink when moving over soft or brittle terrain, such asdust, silt, mud, snow, or thin ice.

Far Hearing Wild Talent Cantrip

For a moment, you can hear even distant whispers.

At-Will 4 PsionicMinor Action PersonalEffect: Choose one square you can see that is within 10

squares of you. Until the end of your next turn, you canhear as if you occupied that square.

Know Direction Wild Talent Cantrip

With a moment’s concentration,you sense which way is truenorth.

At-Will 4 PsionicMinor Action PersonalEffect: You determine which way is north. For 1 hour, you

gain a +2 power bonus to checks to navigate natural terrain using either Perception or Nature.

Mental Tools Wild Talent Cantrip

From thought, you create matter, equipping yourselfwith thesimple tools you need.

At-Will 4 PsionicMinor Action PersonalEffect: You create a simple tool you can hold in one hand.

The object appears in your hand or at your feet. You cannot use the object to attack or hinder another creature.The object lasts until the end of the encounter or untilyou use this power again.

Object Projection Wild Talent Cantrip

Yourforce ofwill teleports an object a short distance away.

At-Will 4 Psionic, TeleportationMinor Action PersonalEffect You teleport an object you are holding in one hand

to an unoccupied square within 10 squares of you or to awilling creature within 10 squares of you.

Psionic Image Wild Talent Caritrip

You plant the image ofan object in the minds ofnearbycreatures.

At-Will 4 Illusion, PsionicMinor Action Close burst 5Target: One or more creatures in burstEffect Each target sees the image of a Small or smaller

object in your hand or in a square in the burst. The imagelasts until the end of your next turn.

Psionic Spark Wild Talent Cantrip

Youfocus your anger,frustration, or passion into one smallobject until the heat ofyour emotion ignites it.

At-Will 4 PsionicMinor Action Ranged 5Target: One flammable object that isn’t carried by another

creatureEffect You cause the target to catch fire.

Sensing Eye Wild Talent Cantrip

An imageforms in your mind, revealing what you would see ifyou were standing some distance away.

At-Will 4 PsionicMinor Action PersonalEffect: Choose one square you can see that is within 5

squares of you. Until the end of your next turn, you candetermine your line of sight from that square.

Telekinetic Grasp Wild Talent Cantrip

With your mental strength, you can manipulate nearby objects.

At-Will 4 PsionicMinor Action Ranged 5Target: One object that weighs 20 pounds or less and isn’t

carried by another creatureEffect You manipulate the target or move it 5 squares to a

square within range.

Thought Projection Wild Talent Cantrip

You broadcast a thought or an image to nearby allies.

At-Will + PsionicMinor Action Close burst STarget: One or more allies in burstEffect You convey either an image or a message of 10

words or fewer to each target.

RANDOM WILD TALENTRather than letting players pick a wild talent, the Dungeon Master can have each player determine his or hercharacter’s talent randomly, using a dl 0:

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1 Body equilibrium2 Farhearing3 Know direction4 Mental tools5 Object projection

6 Psionic image7 Psionic spark8 Sensing eye9 Telekinetic grasp

10 Thought projection

CHAPTER 4 Character Options~~rj ~

WiLD BATTLEN1ND“My anger is my strength.”

The use of psionic power is widespread on Athas, andmany warriors take up the career of the battlemind.Battleminds are hardy and cunning, two characteristics essential to survival on Athas. Self-taught orinformally trained, wild battleminds rely on instinct.These battleminds channel raw psionic energy fueledby their untamed emotions. They often develop theirpowers as a result of a traumatic or a dangerous experience that triggers their psionic talent as a defensemechanism.

The wild battlemind is the most common type ofbattlemind on Athas. These individuals live in thewastes or the slums, growing up without the privileges afforded to nobles who receive formal trainingin the Way. The aggressive, powerful attacks of a wildbattlemind reflect the brutality of life under the redsun. It’s not unusual for a wild battlemind to end upas a gladiator in the arenas ofAthas.

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NEW CLASS FEATUREWhen you choose your Psionic Study, you can chooseWild Focus instead of other options, such as thosepresented in Player’s Handbook 3.

Wild Focus: You gain the wildfocus power, whichreflects the raw telekinetic power you wield incombat.

Wild Focus Battlemind Feature

Using a surge of telekinetic power, you yank an enemy towardyou,forcing it tofight

Encounter + PsionicFree Action Close burst 10Trigger: An enemy starts its first turn during an encounter.Target The triggering enemy in burstEffect You pull the target a number of squares equal to

your Charisma modifier and mark it until the end of yournext turn.

SUGGESTED OPTIONSThe deadly and unpredictable wild battleminds areborn to be warriors. From an early age, they learnthe ways of psionic combat through trial and error.They often craft their own weapons, chipping awayat shards of obsidian or lashing together bones andteeth. They favor two-handed weapons, which theycan use to great effect in battle.

Like other battleminds, you should make Constitution your primary ability score, because you use it

to make your psionic attacks. Choose Charisma asyour secondary ability score. Charisma improves yourWild Focus class feature and enhances many ofyourbattlemind powers. Select Wisdom as your tertiaryability score ifyou want to dabble in powers fromother battlemind builds.

Suggested Class Feature: Wild Focus*Suggested Feat: Weapon Proficiency (choose

a two-handed superior melee weapon, such as theexecution axe or the fullblade, both ofwhich appearin the Adventurer’s VaultTM supplement)

Suggested Skills: Athletics, Endurance,Intimidate

Suggested At-Will Powers: concussive spike*,whirling defense

Suggested Daily Power: corona offloatingforce**New option presented in this book

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NEW BATTLEMIND POWERSYour powers unleash waves of force and grant mobility. The powers in this section are optimal for thewild battlemind, though any battlemind might findthem useful.

LEVEL 1 AT-WILL DisciPLINE

Concussive Spike Battlemind Attack 1

Your weapon shimmers withforce as you bring it trashingdown, clobbering~yourfoes and driving some of them back.

At-Will + Augmentable, Force, Psionic, WeaponStandard Action Close blast 3Target: One creature you can see in blastAttack: Constitution vs. ACHit: 1 [WI + Constitution modffier force damage. You push

each enemy in the blast other than the target a numberof squares equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier.

Augment 1Close burst 3Target: One creature you can see in burstHit: 1 [WI + Constitution modifier force damage. You push

one enemy in the burst other than the target a numberof squares equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier.

Augment 2Hit: 1 [W] + Constitution modifier force damage, and you

knock the target prone. You push each enemy in theblast other than the target a number of squares equalto 1 + your Charisma modifier.

LEVEL 1 DAiLY DisciPLINE

Corona of Floating Force Battlemind Attack 1

As you swing, the air aroundyou ripples with psionicforce thatknocks back your enemy and levitates you.

Daily + Force, Psionic, Stance, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Constitution vs. ACHit 2[WJ + Constitution modifier force damage, and

you push the target a number of squares equal to yourCharisma modifier.

Miss: Half damage, and you push the target 1 square.Effect: You can assume the floating force stance. Until

the stance ends, you ignore difficult terrain and take nodamage from hindering terrain or terrain hazards.

LEVEL 2 UTiLiTY DiscIPLiNE

Concussive Response Battlemind Utility 2

With a thought, you transform your injuries into energy thatbolsters your attacks.

Encounter + Force, PsionicFree Action PersonalRequirement: You must be bloodied.Effect: Until the end of your next turn, your unaugmented

psionic attacks deal 1 d6 extra force damage.

LEVEL 3 AT-WILL DIsciPLINE

Wrenching Claw Batt~emind Attack 3

You manifest a claw of4force around your weapon. Then, as youstrike, the claw encloses yourfoe and drags it into position.

At-Will + Augmentable, Force, Psionic, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Constitution vs. ACHit: 1 [WI + €onstitution modifier force damage, and you

slide the target 1 square to a square adjacent to you.Augment 1

Special: Your reach increases by 1 for this attack.Augment 2

Special: Your reach increases by a number of squaresequal to your C~harisma modifier for this attack.

Hit: 2[W] ÷ Constitution modifier force damage, and youslide the target 3 squares to a square adjacent to you.

LEVEL 5 DAILY DiscIPLiNE

Wild Speed Battlemind Attack 5

Your strike warps temporal bonds, sapping your opponent’sspeed and infitsing you with unpredictable bursts ofmovement.

Daily + Force, Psionic, Stance, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Constitution vs. ACHit: 2[W] + €onstitution modifier force damage, and the

target is slowed (save ends).Miss: Half damage, and the target is slowed until the end of

your next turn.Effect: After the attack, you shift half your speed to a

square adjacent to the target. You can assume the wildspeed stance. Until the stance ends, you can move anumber of squares equal to your speed + 1 d4 as a moveaction. You roll a d4 each time you begin the movement.If the result is odd, the movement doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks. -

LEVEL 6 UTILiTY DiscIPLiNE

Surging Durability Battlemind Utility 6

With each attack, you use the power ofyour mind to bolsteryour vitality.

Daily + Psionic, StanceMinor Action PersonalEffect You assume the stance of surging durability. Until

the stance ends, whenever you hit with an augmentedpower, you gain temporary hit points equal to the numberof power points you spent to augment that power.


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LEVEL 7 AT-WILL DISCIPLINE LEVEL 13 AT-WILL DisCIPLiNE

Forceful Reversal Battlemind Attack 7

You draw theforcefrom an enemy’s attack and hurl it back atyour attacker through your weapon.

At-Will + Augmentable, Force, Psionic, WeaponImmediate Reaction Melee weaponTrigger: An enemy hits you.Target: The triggering enemyAttack: Constitution vs. ACHit: 1 [WI + Constitution modifier force damage, and you

push the target 1 square.Effect: You don’t get your normal standard action on

your turn.Augment 1

Hit 1 [W] ÷ Constitution modifier force damage. Youpush the target 1 square and then shift 1 square tothe square the target vacated. In addition, you gaincombat advantage against the target until the endof your next turn.

Effect: You get your normal standard action on your turn.Augment 2

Hit: 2[WJ + Constitution modifier force damage. You pushthe target a number of squares equal to your Charismamodifier and knock it prone. The target cannot stand upuntil the start of its next turn.

Effect: You get your normal standard action on your turn.

LEVEL 9 DAiLY DISCiPLINE

Cascade of Rippling Force Battlemind Attack 9

Your weapon and bodyflare with telekinetic energy as youattack. Afterward, waves offorce roll offyour body.

Daily + Force, Psionic, Stance, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Constitution vs. ACHit: 3[W] + €onstitution modifier force damage.Miss: Half damage.Effect: You can assume the rippling force stance. Until the

stance ends, you can take the following action.Move Action PersonalEffect: You shift 3 squares. During this movement, you

can move through the spaces of enemies marked byyou. If you do so, the first time you enter an enemy’sspace during the shift, that enemy takes force damageequal to your Charisma modifier.

LEVEL 10 UTILITY DiSCIPLINE

Hands of the Titan Battlernind Utility 10

Your arms bulge with strength, and your weapon ripples withelemental energy as your mind drawsfrom a deepfont ofpower.

Encounter + PsionicMinor Action PersonalEffect: Until the end of your next turn, your weapon

attacks deal extra damage equal to your Charismamodifier and deal cold, fire, lightning, and thunderdamage in addition to their normal damage types.


Kinetic Fist Battlemind Attack 13

The energyfromyour attack causes swirling force to gatheraboutyou, which you can unleash on an attacker.

At-Will + Augmentable, Force, Psionic, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Constitution vs. ACHit 1 1W] + Constitution modifier damage, and one enemy

marked by you other than the target takes force damageequal to your Charisma modifier.

Augment 1Effect: Until the end of your next turn, when an enemy

adjacent to you hits and damages you, that enemy takesforce damage equal to your Charisma modifier, and youcan push it 1 square.

Augment 4Hit 2[W] + Constitution modifier damage, and one

enemy marked by you other than the target takes forcedamage equal to your Charisma modifier.

Effect: Until the end of your next turn, when an enemyadjacent to you hits and damages you, that enemytakes force damage equal to 5 ÷ your Charismamodifier, and you mark it until the end of the enemy’snext turn.

LEVEL 15 DAILY DISCIPLINE

Aspect of the Desert Storm Battlemind Attack 15

Your enemyflies backfromyour attack, and before it lands, youexchange positions so you can lash out against other foes.

Daily + Psionic, Teleportation, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponPrimary Target: One creaturePrimary Attack: Constitution vs. ACHit 2[W] + €onstitution modifier damage.Miss: Half damage.Effect: You push the primary target 5 squares and knock it

prone. In addition, you and the primary target teleport,swapping positions. If you teleport, you then make asecondary attack that is a close burst 1.Secondary Target: Each enemy you can see in burst other

than the primary targetSecondary Attack: Constitution vs. AC.Hit: 2[W] + Constitution modifier damage, and the

secondary target is dazed until the end of your next turn.

LEVEL 16 UTiLITY DISCIPLINE

Savage Intent Battlemind Utility 16

Youfixyour enemies in your mind’s eye, allowing you to sv.4ftlyreact to their movement.

Encounter + PsionicMinor Action Close burst 5Target: Each enemy marked by you in burstEffect: Until the end of your next turn, when the target

completes a willing move without teleporting, you canshift an equal number of squares as a free action.

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LEVEL 17 AT-WIu. DIscIPUNE

Ruinous Grasp Battlemind Attack 17

When your strike connects, yow seize the mind of a nearbyfoeand gain limited control over the enemy’s movement.

At-Will + Augmentable, Psionic, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Constitution vs. AC -

Hit 1 [W] + €onstitution modifier damage, and you slideone creature marked by you 3 squares.

Augment 1Effect: After the attack, you shift 1 square and gain a +2

power bonus to one defense of your choice until the endof your next turn.

Augment 4Hit 2[W] + Constitution modifier damage, and you push

the target a number of squares equal to your Charismamodifier. In addition, until the end of your next turn,the target is immobilized and you can use a free actionto slide the target 1 square whenever you take damage.

LEVEL 19 DAiLY DIsciPLINE

Indomitable Presence Battlemind Attack 19

Your wrath burns so hot it warps the air around you, causingyour attackers to recoil tn pain.

Daily + Force, Psionic, Psychic, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Constitution vs. AC -

Hit: 3[W] + Constitution mod jfier damage, and the targettakes 1 d6 extra force and psychic damage from your attacks, not including this one (save ends).

Miss: Half damage.Effect: Until the end of your next turn, any enemy that hits

you takes 1 dl 0 force and psychic damage, and you canpush that enemy 1 square.

Sustain Minor: The effect persists.

LEVEL 22 UTiLITY DJscIPuNE

Psychic Feast Battlemind Utility 22

You devour your enemy’s anguish as you deliver a killing blow.

Encounter + PsionicFree Action PersonalTrigger: You reduce a nonminion enemy to 0 hit points.Effect You gain temporary hit points equal to your healing

surge value.

LEVEL 23 AT-WiLL DisciPLiNE

Blade Tremor Battlemind Attack 23

You clobber yourfoe with a pulverizing blow. As the enemy staggers, you wrack the earth with a wave ofpower.

At-Will + Augmentable, Psionic, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Constitution vs. ACHit 1 [W] + €onstitution modifier damage, and one enemy

adjacent to you and marked by you falls prone.Augment 2

Hit: 2[W] + Constitution modifier damage, and one enemyadjacent to you and marked by you falls prone. If theenemy you knock prone is flanking you with anotherenemy, that other enemy also falls prone.

Augment 6Close burst 1Target: Each enemy you can see in burstHit: 21W] + Constitution modifier damage, and you

knock the target prone. In addition, one enemy markedby you and within 5 squares of you falls prone.

LEVEL 25 DAILY DIsciPLINE

Corona of the Sunsphere Battlemind Attack 25

Your weapon~s arc carves a red orb offorce that sears yourfoesand sends them tumbling away.

Daily + Fire, Psionic, Stance, WeaponStandard Action Close burst 1Target Each enemy in burstAttack: Constitution vs. ACHit 5[W] + €onstitution modifier fire damage, and you

push the target a number of squares equal to yourC~harisma modifier.

Miss: Half damage, and you push the target 2 squares.Effect: You can assume the sunsphere stance. Until the

stance ends, you can take the following action.Opportunity Action Melee 1Trigger: An enemy that started its turn adjacent to you

willingly moves away from you or makes an attack thatdoesn’t include you as a target during that turn.

Target: The triggering enemyEffect: 1 [WI Charisma modifier fire damage.

LEVEL 29 DAiLY DISCiPLiNE

Focused Rampage Battlemind Attack 29

You tear through your opponent with one mighty blow,bolstering you and improving your prowess.

Daily + Psionic, Stance, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Constitution vs. ACHit 6[W] + Constitution modifier damage, and you gain

temporary hit points equal to 10 your Constitutionmodifier.

Miss: Half damage, and you gain temporary hit points equalto 5 + your Constitution modifier.

Effect: You can assume the focused rampage stance.Until the stance ends, you can use any of your at-willunaugmented psionic attack powers in place of meleebasic attacks.

7--CHAPTER 4 Character Options

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ARENA FiGHTER“I livefor the moment of triumph, when the crowd cheerswildly. In that moment, I hold the glory of a king, and Iachieve immortality.”

Years spent in death matches, squaring off againsthumanoid and monstrous foes, have prepared you toface any enemy. You learned to fight by scrapping inthe sand and struggling against the arena-masters’pets. You are a cut above the rest, a champion born ofthe arenas ofAthas and destined for much more.

You bring cunning and speed to the battlefield.You have a daring unknown to those whose feet havenever touched the arena floor. Rather than hidebehind heavy armor, you rely on agility and yourmastery ofweapons to deflect your enemies’ attacks.Unburdened by heavy armor, you can leap into thefray to strike several enemies at once.

The arena lures more fighters to its bloody fieldsthan members of any other class. Fighters have theweapon training, the armor training, and the adaptability to respond to a variety of threats. Any fighterbuild might be appropriate in Athas’s arenas, but thearena fighter represents the epitome of combat inthe coliseums.

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NEW CLASS FEATUREYou can select the Arena Training class feature inplace of the Fighter Weapon Talent class feature.

Arena Training: You treat all weapons withwhich you are not proficient as improvised weapons.

You gain a +2 proficiency bonus to attack rollswith improvised weapons. Your attacks with one-handed improvised weapons deal 1d8 damage, andyour attacks with two-handed improvised weaponsdeal idlO damage.

While you are not wearing heavy armor, you gaina +1 bonus to AC. This bonus increases to +2 at 11thlevel and +3 at 21st level.

You select two weapons as your arena weapons. Ifyou are not already proficient with these weapons,you gain proficiency with them. In addition, any ofyour feats that grant feat bonuses to attack rolls ordamage rolls with one ofyour arena weapons apply toyour other arena weapon as well.

SUGGESTED OPTIONSAs with other fighters, Strength should be your highest ability score, because you use it for your attackpowers. You’ll wear light armor, so a high Dexterity can help offset your lower Armor Class. MakeDexterity your second-highest ability score. ChooseWisdom as your tertiary ability score ifyou wantto improve your battlefield intuition and your Willdefense, or pick Constitution ifyou need extra hitpoints and healing surges. Select powers that increaseyour mobility and help you control the battlefield.The ideal powers let you strike or hinder severalenemies. Your secondary role is controller.

Suggested Class Features: Arena Training*Suggested Feat: ToughnessSuggested Skills: Athletics, Endurance, IntimidateSuggested At-Will Powers:footwork lure,

vicious offensive*Suggested Encounter Power: goading maneuver*Suggested Daily Power: master’s edge**New option presented in this book

NEW FIGHTER POWERSFighters defend by dominating the battlefield.Whether delivering swift strikes, shrugging offenemy attacks, or intimidating opponents throughweapon mastery, the fighter is a presence whocan’t be ignored. This section presents new powersdesigned for the arena fighter, though any playermight find something appropriate for his or herfighter build.

%.~CHAPTER 4 Character Options

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LEvEL 1 AT-Wlu. EXPLOIT LEVEL 3 ENCOUNTER EXPLOiT

Vicious Offensive Fighter Attack 1

You smash into your opponent with suchforce that a nearbyenemy can’t help but take notice.

At-Will + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Strength vs. ACHit 1 [WI + Strength modifier damage, and you mark an

enemy adjacent to you until the end of your next turn.Level 21: 2[W] Strength modifier damage.

LEVEL 1 ENCOUNTER EXPLoiT

Daunting Onslaught Fighter Attack 3

You bring down your rage upon an enemy,frightening nearbyfoes with your brutality.

Encounter + Fear, Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget One creatureAttack: Strength vs. ACHit: 2[W] + Strength modjfier damage. The target and

each enemy adjacent to either you or the target take a -2penalty to attack rolls until the end of your next turn.

LEVEL 5 DAiLY EXPLOiT


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Goading Maneuver Fighter Attack 1 Crashing Assault Fighter Attack 5

After a swift strike, you step to the side and draw another one or Your opponentflies backfromyour attack and crashes intotwofoes into your trap. otherfoes, sending them staggering. -

Encounter + Martial, Weapon Daily + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weapon Standard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creature Target: One creatureAttack: Strength vs. AC Attack: Strength vs. ACHit 2[WJ + Strength modifier damage, and you shift 2 . Hit: 2[W] + Strength modifier damage, and you push the

squares. In addition, you mark one or two enemies adja target 3 squares and knock it prone.cent to you until the end of your next turn. Miss: Half damage, and you push the target 1 square.

Effect: Each enemy adjacent to the target takes damage

LEVEL 1 DAiLY EXPLOiT equal to your Strength modifier. In addition, you pusheach enemy adjacent to the target 1 square.

Master’s Edge Fighter Attack 1 LEVEL 6 UTILiTY EXPLOiTYour extensive experience helps you pick out theflaws in youropponent’s technique, letting you move to meet the enemy’sattacks.

Daily + Martial, Weapon You let out an explosive roar, diverting your enemies’ attentionsStandard Action Melee weapon to you. The call steels you against the imminent assault.Target: One creature Encounter + MartialAttack: Strength vs. AC Minor Action Close burst 3Hit 1 [WJ + Strength modifier damage. Target Each enemy in burstEffect: Until the end of the encounter, whenever the target Effect: You mark each target until the end of your next

willingly moves to a square adjacent to one of your allies, turn. In addition, you gain resistance to all damage equalyou can use an opportunity action either to make a melee to your Dexterity modifier until the end of your next turn.basic attack against the target or to charge the target.

LEVEL 7 ENCOUNTER EXPLOiTLEVEL 2 UTiLITY EXPLOiT

Kirre’s Roar Fighter Utility 6

Sidestep Maneuver Fighter Utility 2Menacing Strike Fighter Attack 7

The enemy closes to strike, butyou duck away and ready a nastycounterstrike.

Encounter + MartialOpportunity Action PersonalTrigger: An enemy ends its move in a square adjacent

to you.Effect You shift 3 squares to a square adjacent to the

triggering enemy. You gain a ÷2 power bonus to yournext attack roll against the triggering enemy before theend of your next turn.

You deliver a brutal blow to one enemy, causing your otherfoesto recoil infear whenever you lunge atone.

Encounter + Fear, Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget One creatureAttack: Strength vs. ACHit [W] + Strength modifier + Dexterity modifier

damage. In addition, whenever an enemy ends its moveadjacent to the target, you can slide that enemy 1 squareas an opportunity action. This effect lasts until the end ofyour next turn.

LEVEL 9 DAn~v ExPLoIT LEVEI. 15 DAHY ExPLoIT

Shield Ripper Fighter Attack 9

You strike pastyour enemy’s guard and hew through thefoe’sdefenses.

Daily + Martial, Reliable, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Strength vs. ReflexHit: 3[W] + Strength modifier damage, and the target

takes a -2 penalty to AC and Reflex (save ends).

LEVEL 10 UTiLITY ExPLoIT

Another Day Fighter Utility 1 0

After suffering a hit, you leap out ofyour opponent’s reach toescape any subsequent attacks.

Encounter 4 MartialImmediate Reaction PersonalTrigger: You are hit by an attack.Effect: You shift your speed +4.

LEVEL. 13 ENCOUNTER ExPLoIT

Menacing Surge Fighter Attack 1 3

Rushingforward,your opponents recoil before your menacingpresence and yourfearsome attacks.

Encounter + Fear, Martial, WeaponStandard Action Close blast 2Effect: Before the attack, you move your speed + 2.Target: Each enemy you can see in blastAttack: Strength vs. ACHit: 2[W] + Strength modifier damage.Effect: Until the end of your next turn, enemies take a -2

penalty to attack rolls while adjacent to you.

Dust Storm Assault Fighter Attack 1 5

You become a violent storm,flensing theflesh of all who try tostand up to your attacks.

Daily 4 Martial, Stance, WeaponStandard Action Close burst 1Primary Target: Each enemy you can see in burstPrimary Attack: Strength vs. ACHit 1 [WI + Strength modifier damage.Effect: You can assume the dust storm assault stance. Until

the stance ends, you can make the following secondaryattack.Opportunity Action Melee weaponTrigger: An enemy willingly moves adjacent to one of

your allies within 3 squares of you or makes an attackthat does not include you as a target while within 3squares of you.

Effect: Before the secondary attack, you shift 6 squares toa square adjacent to the triggering enemy.

Secondary Target: The triggering enemySecondary Attack: Strength vs. ACHit: 2[W] + Strength modifier damage, and the secondary

target falls prone.

LEVEL 16 UTiLITY ExPLoiT

Tyrian Battle Stance Fighter Utility 16

You have mastered the combat stance used by gladiators in Tyr’sarenas, which lets you wade among yourfoes with impunity.

Daily 4 Martial, StanceMinor Action PersonalEffect~ You assume the Tyrian battle stance. Until the

stance ends, you do not provoke opportunity attacks andyou gain a +2 power bonus to AC and Reflex as long asyou are able to make op,portunity attacks.

LEVEL 17 ENCOUNTER EXPLOiT

Cruelest Chains Fighter Attack 1 7

Your words or actions cause the enemy to draw close, giving youan opportunity to attack. Ifyourfoe ignores your summons, youvow to make it pay.

Encounter 4 Martial, WeaponImmediate Reaction Melee weaponTrigger: An enemy able to take actions and within 4 squares

of you makes an attack that doesn’t include you as atarget.

Effect: The triggering enemy can shift 6 squares as a freeaction to a square adjacent to you. If the enemy makesthis shift, you make the following attack. Otherwise, yournext weapon attack against that enemy that hits beforethe end of your next turn deals 4[WJ extra damage.Target: The triggering enemyAttack: Strength vs. ACHit: 21W] + Strength modifier damage.

88CHAPTER 4 Character Options

LEVEL 19 DAn.Y EXPLOIT

Bloodletter Stance Fighter Attack 19

You strike at vital spots to draw yourfoe’s blood. With each hit,you aggravate the wounds and slowly destroy your enemy.

Daily + Martial, Stance, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Strength vs. ACHit 3[W1 + Strength modifier damage.Miss: Half damage.Effect The target takes ongoing 10 damage (save ends). In

addition, you can assume the stance of the bloodletter.Until the stance ends, whenever you hit an enemy witha melee weapon attack, that enemy takes ongoing 5damage (save ends).

LEVEL 22 UTILITY EXPLOiT

Urikite Warmaster Stance Fighter Utility 22

You emulate the warmaster gladiators ofUrik with an a8gres-sive stance that lets you punish enemies that come too close.

Daily + Martial, StanceMinor Action PersonalEffect: You assume the Urikite warmaster stance. Until the

stance ends, you can use an opportunity action to dealdamage equal to 5 + your Dexterity modifier to any enemy that ends its turn adjacent to you. In addition, whileyou are in this stance and adjacent to an enemy, you canshift 3 squares as a move action to a square adjacent tothat enemy.

LEVEL 23 ENCOUNTER ExPLoiT

Executioner’s Gambit Fighter Attack 23

After you hit your enemy with a tellin8 blow, you hold yourweapon readyfor a killing stroke if the enemy tries to escape.

Encounter + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget One creatureAttack: Strength vs. ACHit 4[W] + Strength modifier damage. You gain a +5

power bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls withopportunity attacks against the target until the end ofyour next turn.

Blind with Rage Fighter Attack 25

Your strike causes blood to flow into your enemy’sface, and thefoe lashes out blindly at anyone nearby as you califor your allies to back away.

Daily Martial, Reliable, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Strength vs. ACHit 4~W} + Strength modifier damage, and the target is

blinded (save ends). 1!Jntil this condition ends, wheneverany creature starts its turn adjacent to the target, the target must use a free action to make a melee basic attackagainst that creature.

Effect: You and each ally adjacent to the target can shift 2squares as a free action.

LEVEL 27 ENCOUNTER EXPLOiT

Demolishing Surge Fighter Attack 27

After knocking down nearbyfoes once, you ready your weaponto upend any creatures that try to escape your wrath.

Encounter + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Close burst 1Effect: Before the attack, you move your speed.Target: Each enemy you can see in burstAttack: Strength vs. ACHit: 2[WJ + Strength modifier damage, and you knock the

target prone.Effect: Until the start of your next turn, any enemy that

willingly leaves a square adjacent to you falls prone.


Final Challenge Fighter Attack 29

You call out a challenge to your enemy. If it answers yoursummons,you bring your weapon around in a wicked strike.6~therwise, you charge toward it, delivering an assault thatleaves a gaping wound.

Daily + Martial, WeaponImmediate Reaction Melee weaponTrigger: An enemy able to take actions and within 4 squares

of you makes an attack that doesn’t include you as a target.Effect: The triggering enemy can shift 6 squares as a free

action to a square adjacent to you. If the enemy makesthis shift, you make the following attack. Otherwise, youcharge the enemy and make the following attack in placeof a melee basic attack.Target: The triggering enemyAttack: Strength vs. ACHit: 5[Wj + Strength modifier damage, and ongoing 15

damage (save ends).Miss: Half damage.

LEVEL 25 DAiLY EXPLOiT LaII

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CHAPTER 4 I Character Options89

AN1M1ST SHAMANId~% ~L,~Z1

Although the world is no longer green and alive,primal spirits still haunt the land. Mesas, crags,dunes, salt pans, siroccos, sandstorms—all containspirits just as the forests and the oases do. Thesespirits born of the land are deeply infused with thepowers of the elements, and they care little for othercreatures. They can be sullen and wrathful entities,but you are able to bend them to your will.

You know how to call forth the desert spirits ofsandand sun. The primal spirits you conjure exhibit theland’s characteristics. A spirit might shed rain droplets, erupt in blazing fire, or stir one’s hair as windsgust around it. Under your command, the spirits rage,unleashing their fury to smash and burn everything intheir path. Through force ofwill, you compel the spirits,binding their power to your allies’ attacks or directingthem to loose their anger against your enemies.

As an animist shaman, you command a spiritcompanion more elemental in nature than the spiritcompanions of other shamans. This elemental spiritmight appear as a vortex of dust, a curtain of evaporating rain, a clattering gyre of pebbles, or any otherdesert phenomenon.

NEW CLASS FEATUREWhen you choose your spirit companion, you canchoose Elemental Spirit instead ofanother option, suchas the ones in Player’s Handbook 2 and Primal Power.

ELEMENTAL. SPIRITYou draw on elemental spirits inhabiting the earthto give you strength and fuel the raw power ofyourevocations.

Spirit Boon: Your allies gain a +2 bonus to savingthrows while adjacent to your spirit companion. Inaddition, ifyour spirit companion is not present at thestart ofyour turn, you can summon it once duringthat turn as a free action.

Spirit’s Wrath: You gain the spirit’s wrath power,an attack you make through your spirit companion asan opportunity action.

At-Will Attack Power: You gain the spirit infusionpower. You can choose a second at-will attack poweras normal.

Spirit’s Wrath Shaman Feature

Burning hatred drives1your spirit to smash into your enemy.

At-Will 4 Implement, Primal, SpiritOpportunity Action Melee spirit 1Trigger: An enemy leaves a square adjacent to your spirit

companion without shifting.Target: The triggering enemyAttack: Wisdom vs. ReflexHit: 1 d6 + Wisdom modifier damage, and the target

grants combat advantage until the end of your next turn.Level 21: 2d6 + Wisdom modifier damage.

SUGGESTED OPTIONSYou need Wisdom for your attacks, so it should beyour highest ability score. Make Intelligence yournext best score, because it helps boost the damageand benefits ofyour powers. A high Constitutionincreases your hit points and your Fortitude, so itshould be your third-best score. Look for powers thatlet your allies make attacks, improve their attacks, orinhibit foes through zones and debilitating effects.Your secondary role is controller.

Suggested Class Features: Elemental Spirit*Suggested Feat: Spirit ofVigor*Suggested Skills: Athletics, Endurance, Heal,

NatureSuggested At-Will Powers: spirit infusion*, haunt

ing spiritsSuggested Encounter Power: scorching sands*Suggested Daily Power: dust storm binding**New option presented in this book

NEW SHAMAN POWERSThe shaman powers included in this section reflectthe desert world and the primal spirits found withinit. Although designed for the animist shaman, thesepowers offer all shamans new ways to engage theenemy and survive the perils in the wild.

LEVEL 1 AT-WILL EVOCATION

Spirit Infusion Shaman Attack 1

You dismiss your spirit companion, whichflows into an ally andenables him or her to make a swift and sudden attack.

At-Will 4 Primal, SpiritStandard Action Melee spirit 1Target One allyEffect Your spirit companion disappears, and the target

can make a basic attack with a +2 power bonus to theattack roll and a power bonus to the damage roll equal toyour Intelligence modifier.


Scorching Sands Shaman Attack 1

Sands infused with desertfire pour outfromyour spirit cornpanion, splashing an enemy with terribleflames as your cornpanion dissipates.

Encounter + Fire, Implement, Primal, SpiritStandard Action Melee spirit 1Target: One creatureAttack: Wisdom vs. ReflexHit 1 d8 + Wisdom modifier fire damage, and the target

gains vulnerable 5 fire until the end of your next turn.Elemental Spirit: You and each ally adjacent to your spirit

companion can choose to deal fire damage until the endof your next turn. This fire damage replaces an attack’snormal damage types.

Effect Your spirit companion disappears.


Dust Storm Binding Shaman Attack 1

Your spirit companion explodes in an obscuring cloud of dust,sand, and silt that blinds and stings yourfoes.

Daily + Implement, Primal, Spirit, ZoneStandard Action Close burst spirit 1Target: Each creature in burstAttack: Wisdom vs. FortitudeHit The target is blinded (save ends).Miss: The target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the

end of your next turn.Effect: Your spirit companion disappears. The burst creates

a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn. Squareswithin the zone are heavily obscured. Any enemy thatstarts its turn within the zone takes S damage.


LEVEL 2 UTIUTY EVOCATION

Condensation Shaman Utility 2

Moisture gathers in the air around your spirit companion asyoufuse itsform with one ofyour allies to provide healing and aprotective barrier against the elements.

Daily + Healing, Primal, SpiritMinor Action Melee spirit 5Target One allyEffect Your spirit companion disappears. The target gains

resist 10 fire and regeneration equal to your Intelligencemodifier until the end of the encounter or until you usecall spirit companion.

Granite Armor Shaman Attack 3

Your spirit companion enters your ally’s body, encasing yourcomrade in a stony sheath and sendin8 rocky shardsflyingoutward.

Encounter 4 Implement, Primal, SpiritStandard Action Melee spirit 1Primary Target: One allyEffect: Your spirit companion disappears, and the primary

target gains resist 3 to all damage until the end of yournext turn. Make an attack that is a close burst 1 centeredon the primary target.

Elemental Spirit The resistance equals 2 + your Intelligencemodifier.Secondary Target Each enemy in burstAttack: Wisdom + 2 vs. ACHit 2d6 + Wisdom modifier damage.

LEVEL 5 DAILY EVOCATiON 4Shrieking Wind Spirits Shaman Attack 5

The shrieking desert winds gather aboutyour spirit companion,which you then dismiss to unleash a storm that leaves your enemies reeling.

Daily + Implement, Primal, Spirit, ZoneStandard Action Close burst spirit 2Primary Target: Each enemy in burstPrimary Attack: Wisdom vs. FortitudeHit 2d6 + Wisdom modifier damage, and you slide the

primary target 3 squares. The primary target is dazed(save ends).

Effect: Your spirit companion disappears. The burst createsa zone that lasts until the end of your next turn. While thezone persists, you can make the following secondary attackusing the burst’s origin square as the secondary attack’sorigin square.Opportunity Action Close burst 2Trigger: An enemy ends its turn within the zone.Secondary Target The triggering enemy in burstSecondary Attack: Wisdom vs. FortitudeHit: You slide the secondary target 3 squares.


LEVEL 1 ENCOUNTER EVOCATION LEVEL 3 ENCOUNTER EVOCATION z

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91

LEVEL 6 UTIUTY EVOCATION LEVEL 10 UTIUTY EVOCATION

Light of the Crimson Sun Shaman Utility 6

Your spirit erupts inflames, shining with coruscating light that~mpowers some o4your allies’ attacks.

Encounter + Primal, Spirit, ZoneMinor Action Close burst spirit 2Effect: Your spirit companion disappears. The burst creates

a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn. Whilewithin the zone, your allies gain a +2 power bonus toattack rolls with fire powers and radiant powers. In addition, whenever an ally hits with a fire power or a radiantpower while within the zone, he or she gains temporaryhit points equal to your Intelligence modifier.

LEVEL 7 ENCOUNTER EVOCATION

Memories of Wind and Rain Shaman Attack 7

You dismiss your spirit companion and unleash wind and rainspirits that shriek as they descend on your enemies. Gusts ofwind shove your allies about while slamming any enemies thatcome too close.

Encounter + Implement, Primal, Spirit, ZoneStandard Action Close burst spirit 1Target Each enemy in burstAttack: Wisdom vs. ReflexHit 2d6 ÷ Wisdom modifier damage.Effect: Your spirit companion disappears, and you slide each

ally in the burst 1 square. The burst creates a zone thatlasts until the end of your next turn. Any enemy that endsits turn within the zone is dazed until the end of its nextturn.


Mountain’s Might Shaman Attack 9

When your spirit merges with your ally, the ground tremblesand knocksfoesfrom theirfret. That ally then assumes a rockyform that is slow but resilient.

Daily + Implement, Polymorph, Primal, SpiritStandard Action Melee spirit 1Primary Target: One allyEffect: Your spirit companion disappears. Until the end of

your next turn, the primary target assumes the form ofmountain’s might. While in this form, the primary targetis slowed, gains resist 5 to all damage, and gains a powerbonus to melee damage rolls equal to your Intelligencemodifier. The primary target can end the effect as a minoraction. Make an attack that is a close burst 1 centered onthe primary target.Secondary Target Each enemy in burstAttack: Wisdom vs. FortitudeHit 2d6 + Wisdom modifier damage, and the secondary

target falls prone.Miss: Half damage.

Sustain Minor: The form of mountain’s might persists.


Swirling Dust Shaman Utility 10

Your spirit companion enters your ally’s body, and nothing remains of either except swirling dust.

Encounter 4 Primal, SpiritMinor Action Melee spirit 5Target: One allyEffect Your spirit companion disappears. Until the end of

your next turn, the target is insubstantial, and its spaceand any squares adjacent to it are lightly obscured.


Seething Zephyr Shaman Attack 13

Winds gather aroundyour spirit companion, which bursts intoa zephyr that scatters your enemies and sends one ofyour alliesflying.

Encounter 4 Implement, Primal, SpiritStandard Action Close burst spirit 1Target Each enemy in burstAttack: Wisdom vs. ReflexHit 2d1 0 + Wisdom modifier damage, and you slide the

target 1 square.Effect: Your spirit companion disappears. If you hit at least

one target, one ally in the burst can fly 6 squares.


Volcanic Circle Shaman Attack 1 5

Your spirit companion disappears into the ground, where itawakens the angry earth and unleashes bubbling fire and molten rock.

Daily 4 Fire, Implement, Primal, Spirit, ZoneStandard Action Close burst spirit 2Target: Each enemy in burstAttack: Wisdom vs. ReflexHit 1 dl 0 + Wisdom modifier fire damage, and the tar

get grants combat advantage and takes ongoing 10 firedamage (save ends both).

Effect: Your spirit companion disappears. The burst createsa zone that lasts until the end of your next turn. Squareswithin the zone are lightly obscured. Any creature thatends its turn within the zone takes 10 fire damage.


LEVEL 16 UTiLITY EVOCATiON

Guiding Winds Shaman Utility 16

The gentle breeze swirling around your spirit companion intens!fies, pushing your allies to confront an enemy.Encounter 4 Primal, SpiritMinor Action Close burst spirit 1Target Each ally in burstEffect Your spirit companion disappears. You slide each

target a number of squares equal to your Intelligencemodifier.

Sirocco Spirit Shaman Attack 19


Caustic Rain

LEVEL 29 DAiLY EVOCATION

Fury of Athas

Close burst spirit 2


4

LEVEL 17 ENCOUNTER EVOCATiON

Cloudburst Shaman Attack 1 7

Your spirit companion dissolves into roiling black clouds thatloose lightning and slashing rain.

Encounter 4 Implement, Lightning, PrimalStandard Action Close burst spirit 1Target: Each enemy in burstAttack: Wisdom vs. ReflexHit: 2d6 + Wisdom modifier lightning damage, and the

target is immobilized until the end of your next turn.Elemental Spirit: You and each ally in the burst can choose

to deal lightning damage until the end of your next turn.This lightning damage replaces an attack’s normal damagetypes.

Effect: Your spirit companion disappears.

LEVEL 19 DAiLY EVOCATION

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Shaman Attack 25

Your spirit companion dissolves into acrid green clouds thatwash the battlefield with acid rain andfunnel lifefrom yourenemies into your allies.

Daily 4 Acid, Healing, Implement, Primal, Spirit, ZoneStandard Action Close burst spirit 2Target: Each creature in burstAttack: Wisdom vs. FortitudeHit: 3d6 + Wisdom modifier acid damage, and the target

takes a -2 penalty to all defenses and ongoing 1S aciddamage (save ends both).

Effect: Your spirit companion disappears. The burst createsa zone that lasts until the end of your next turn. Squareswithin the zone are lightly obscured. Any creature thatends its turn within the zone takes 1 5 acid damage.Whenever this zone reduces a nonminion enemy to 0 hitpoints, one ally you can see can spend a healing surge.



Immolating Spirit Shaman Attack 27

Your elemental spirit breaks apart to become a storm ofdustand wind that blinds your enemies and makes them more susceptible to attacks.

Daily 4 Implement, Primal, SpiritStandard Action Close burst spirit 2Target Each creature in burstAttack: Wisdom vs. FortitudeHit 2d8 + Wisdom modifier damage, and the target is

blinded and gains vulnerable 5 to all damage (save endsboth)

Miss: Half damage, and the target gains vulnerable 5 to alldamage (save ends).

Effect: Your spirit companion disappears.

LEVEL 22 UTiLITY EVOCATION

Sand Summons Shaman Utility 22

You dismiss~your spirit companion, using its power to causesand to boil upfrom the ground. The sands consume your alliesand deliver them to safety while leaving an area ofunstableterrain.

Daily 4 Primal, Spirit, Teleportation, ZoneMinor Action Close burst spirit 2Target: Each ally in burstEffect Your spirit companion disappears. You teleport

each target 5 squares. The burst creates a zone of difficult terrain that lasts until the end of the encounter.

LEVEL 23 ENCOUNTER EVOCAT1ON

Your spirit companion merges with your ally, causing your cornrade to erupt inflames as he or she delivers a sudden attack.

Encounter 4 Fire, Healing, Primal, SpiritStandard Action Melee spirit 5Target: One allyEffect: Your spirit companion disappears. The target can

use a free action either to make a melee basic attack orto charge. If this attack hits, the target deals 2d1 0 extrafire damage and can spend a healing surge.

Elemental Spirit If the target’s attack hits, each enemyadjacent to the target takes fire damage equal to yourWisdom modifier.

Boulder Smash Shaman Attack 23

Shaman Attack 29

You dismiss your spirit companion an~d use its power to callforth the world spirit’s tattered remnants, empowering yourallies to launch a brutal assault.

Daily Primal, SpiritStandard ActionTarget: Each ally in burstEffect: Your spirit companion disappears. Each target can

make a basic attack as a free action.lf this attack hits,the target of the attack is stunned and takes ongoing 10damage (save ends both).

As your spirit moves, it transforms into a rolling boulder thatsmashes through your enemies’ ranks before disappearing.

Encounter 4 Implement, Primal, Spirit, ZoneStandard Action Close burst spirit 1Target Each enemy in burstAttack: Wisdom vs. FortitudeHit: 3d8 ÷ Wisdom modifier damage, and you knock the

target prone.Elemental Spirit: The burst creates a zone of difficult terrain

that lasts until the end of the encounter or until you usecall spirit companion.

Effect Your spirit companion disappears.

93V

- ~ ~ I~~L~ZI .i

On Athas, many templars swear an oath to a sorcererking in exchange for arcane power. The sorcerer-kingpact reflects the training and magical transformations that a sorcerer-king might provide to anindividual whom he or she deems worthy. A warlockwho has this pact can draw on the reserves ofpowerthat a sorcerer-king commands.

Most warlocks of this pact are templars in asorcerer-king’s service. They are often trusted members of the templar hierarchy who are expected tocommand the soldiers, the agents, or the underlingsof a sorcerer-king. Thus, the powers of the sorcerer-king pact aid allies and work well in melee. Asorcerer-king sometimes imparts his or her powerto a promising protégé or a privileged noble withoutmaking the recipient into a templar, although suchinstances are unusual.

NEW CLASS FEATUREWhen you choose your Eldritch Pact, you can choosethe sorcerer-king pact instead of another option, suchas the ones from the Player’s Handbook or the ArcanePowerTM supplement.

Sorcerer-King Pact: You have pledged yourself tothe service of a sorcerer-king. In return, your mastertransformed you into an arcane speilcaster by meansofeldritch rituals. What you do with this new poweris up to you—the sorcerer-king has no special abilityto observe you or to strip you ofyour power. However,all sorcerer-kings are suspicious and ruthless, so ifyou defy one, you do so at your own peril.

Hand ofBlight: You gain the hand ofblight power.Fell Scorn: You have the Fell Scorn pact boon,

which enables you to draw upon your sorcerer-king’smagical prowess and enhance a power by spendingyour fell might. You start each encounter with yourfell might unspent. You must decide whether or notto spend your fell might when you choose to use apower, before you make any attack rolls or apply anyof that power’s effects.

When a creature affected by your Warlock’sCurse drops to 0 hit points, your pact boon triggers,restoring your fell might, which you can spend againduring the encounter. Ifyou already have your fellmight available when a cursed creature drops to 0 hitpoints, you don’t gain a second use of it. You can haveonly one use of fell might available at one time.

SUGGESTED OPTIONSThe sorcerer-kings desire servants who have greatstamina and force ofpersonality, so Charisma orConstitution should be the primary ability scorefor someone who has this pact. Intelligence is bestas your secondary ability score, because many

sorcerer-king pact powers gain a benefit from it. Charisma or Constitution, whichever you didn’t pick asa primary score, is a good third choice. Choose Charisma to bolster your low Will defense ifyou plan toremain at range, or else use Constitution to gain extrahit points and healing surges ifyou intend to use yourpowers in melee combat.

Suggested Class Feature: Sorcerer-king pact*Suggested Feat: Scornful Denial*Suggested Skills: Arcana, Bluff, Insight, StreetwiseSuggested At-Will Powers: eldritch blast,

hand ofblight*Suggested Encounter Power: cruel bounty*Suggested Daily Power: ashen scourge55New option presented in this book

NEW WARLOCK POWERSThese powers are associated with the sorcerer-kingpact, but they also provide warlocks of other pactswith new options. They are ideal for any warlockbuild, because they use either Charisma or Constitution as the primary ability score.

LEVEL 1 AT-WILL SPELL

Hand of Blight Warlock Attack 1

A crackling black sphere gathers aroundyour outspread hand.You can smite a nearbyfoe with it, or elsefling it at adistant enemy.

At-Will + Arcane, Implement, Necrotic, PsychicStandard Action Melee touch or Ranged 10Target: One creatureAttack: Charisma or Constitution vs. FortitudeHit.~ 1 d8 + Charisma or Constitution modifier necrotic and

psychic damage, and the target grants combat advantageuntil the end of your next turn.Level2l: 2d8 + Charisma or Constitution modifier necrotic

and psychic damage.Sorcerer-King Pact: If you spend your fell might, the target

takes 1 d8 extra damage.


Cruel Bounty Warlock Attack 1

You create a blazing sigil thatfiares with unwholesome light,scouring yourfoe and promising an obscene blessing to any ofyour allies who bathe in its radiance.

Encounter 4 Arcane, Implement, RadiantStandard Action Melee touch or Ranged 5Target: One creatureAttack: Charisma or Constitution vs. FortitudeHit: 2d6 + Charisma or Constitution modifier radiant

damage. Until the end of your next turn, your allies gain a+1 power bonus to attack rolls against the target.Sorcerer-King Pact: If you spend your fell might, the

bonus increases to +2 and the bonus affects attack rollsand damage rolls.

WARLOCK SORCERER-KiNG PACT

94 ~


LEvEL 1 DAnv SPELL

Ashen Scourge Warlock Attack 1

You lash atyourfoe with a whip offire, drag8ing it close. Thewhip leaves behind a residue ofnecrotic ash that withers yourfoe’sflesh.

Daily + Arcane, Fire, Necrotic, ImplementStandard Action Melee touch or Ranged 5Target: One creatureAttack: Charisma or Constitution vs. FortitudeHit: 2d8 + Charisma or Constitution modifier fire damage.

The target grants combat advantage and takes ongoing 5necrotic damage (save ends both).

Miss: Half damage.Effect: You pull the target 2 squares.

LEVEL. 2 UT1uTY SPELL

Assassin’s Bane Warlock Utility 2

The ground blackens as coruscating energy swirls around you,hindering.yourfoes’ movements and revealing any hiddenenemies.

Daily + Arcane, ZoneMinor Action Close burst 3Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of

your next turn. Enemies within the zone cannot shift,teleport, or benefit from invisibility, concealment, or totalconcealment.


LEVEL. 3 ENCOUNTER SPELL

Sinister Extraction Warlock Attack 3

Your enemyfalters as you tear at its soul. One ofyour allies, seein~ thefoe’s defiance vanish, can use the opportunity to deliveran invigorating attack.

Encounter + Arcane, Implement, PsychicStandard Action Melee touch or Ranged 5Target: One creatureAttack: Charisma or Constitution vs. WillHit: 1 dl 0 + Charisma or Constitution modifier psychic

damage. The next one of your allies who hits the targetwith a melee attack before the end of your next turn gainstemporary hit points equal to your Intelligence modifier.Sorcerer-King Pact: If you spend your fell might, your ally’s

attack need not be a melee attack.

LEVEL 5 D~n.v SPELL

Flames of the Smoking Crown Warlock Attack 5

Hungryflames consume your enemy and send the creature intoa panic that ignites your otherfoes.

Daily + Arcane, Fear, Fire, ImplementStandard Action Melee touch or Ranged 5Target: One creatureAttack: Charisma or Constitution vs. ReflexHit: The target is affected by the flames of the smoking

crown (save ends). Until the flames end, the target takesongoing 5 fire damage. Also, whenever the target startsits turn you slide it a number of squares equal to yourIntelligence modifier, and each enemy adjacent to the target after the slide takes ongoing 5 fire damage (save ends).

Effect: 1 dl 0 + Charisma or Constitution modifierfire damage.

Sand Shape Warlock Utility 6

You transformyour body into sand, allowing you to resist attacks and pass through solid barriers.

Daily + Arcane, PolymorphMinor Action PersonalEffect: Until the end of your next turn, you are

insubstantial and can pass through any opening largeenough to accommodate a single grain of sand. Youcannot attack, pick up anything, or manipulate objects.



Sorcerer-King’s Decree Warlock Attack 7

Crackling lightning scorches your enemy with suchferocity thatit sends nearbyfoes staggering back.

Encounter + Arcane, Implement, Lightning, PsychicStandard Action Melee touch or Ranged 5Target: One creatureAttack: Charisma or Constitution vs. ReflexHit: 2d8 + Charisma or Constitution modifier lightning

damage. You push the target and each enemy adjacentto the target a number of squares equal to yourIntelligence modifier.Sorcerer-King Pact: If you spend your fell might, each

enemy adjacent to the target before the push takespsychic damage equal to your Intelligence modifier.

4...~. e’.~_,. ~,

N.

LEVEL 6 UTILiTY SPELL

z2


LEVEL 9 DAILY SPELL LEVEL 15 DAILY SPELL

Kalak’s Burning Sands Warlock Attack 9

You transform the ground beneath yourfoe’s feet into seethingblack sand. As your enemy sinks down, the sand scorches thecreature.

Daily 4 Arcane, Fire, ImplementStandard Action Melee touch or Ranged 5Target: One creatureAttack: Charisma or Constitution vs. WillHit 2d8 + Charisma or Constitution modifier fire damage,

and you knock the target prone. The target cannot standup and t~ cover against all creatures except you (saveends both).First Failed Saving Throw: The target takes ongoing 5 fire

damage and is removed from play (save ends both). Whenthe target saves, it reappears in the space it last occupiedor in the nearest unoccupied space of its choice.

Miss: Half damage, and the target is immobilized until theend of your next turn.


King’s Step Warlock Utility 10

After an enemy misses you with an attack, you take aform ofsand and ash. You then zip across the battlefield and layyourcurse upon the offending creature.

Encounter 4 ArcaneImmediate Reaction PersonalTrigger: An enemy misses you with an attack.Effect You fly your speed and are insubstantial during the

move. After the move, you place your Warlock’s Curse onthe triggering enemy.


Break the \A!ilI Warlock Attack 1 3

Your magic breaks into yourfoe’s mind and leaves the creaturereelingfrom the experience.

Encounter 4 Arcane, Implement, PsychicStandard Action Melee touch or Ranged 5Target One creatureAttack: Charisma or Constitution vs. WillHit 2d6 + Charisma or Constitution modifier psychic

damage, and the target is dazed until the end of yournext turn.Sorcerer-King Pact: If you spend your fell might, each

enemy adjacent to the target takes psychic damage equalto your Intelligence modifier. In addition, you place yourWarlock’s Curse on each enemy adjacent to the target.


Touch of the Two Moons Warlock Attack iS

Invoking the name ofTectuktitlay, ruler ofDraj the Two MoonCity, you plunge your hand into a creature’sfiesh and tear loosea piece ofthe creature’s spirit.

Daily 4 Arcane, Fear, ImplementStandard Action Melee touchPrimary Target: One creaturePrimary Attack: Charisma or Constitution vs. FortitudeHit: 4d1 0 + Charisma or Constitution modifier damage.Miss: Half damage.Effect: Make a secondary attack that is a close burst 5.

Secondary Target: Each enemy in burstSecondary Attack: Charisma or Constitution vs. WillHit: You push the secondary target a number of squares

equal to its speed. The secondary target grants combatadvantage (save ends).


Fail Me Not Warlock Utility 16

Your magic ir~fi~ses your allies’ attacks with power that comes ata dangerous cost.

Daily 4 Arcane, ZoneMinor Action Close burst 3Effect The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of

your next turn. While within the zone, your allies gainboth a +2 power bonus to attack rolls and a power bonusto damage rolls equal to your Intelligence modifier. Thebonus applies to melee attacks and ranged attacks. Also,whenever one of your allies within the zone misses everytarget with a melee or a ranged attack, he or she gainsvulnerable 5 to all damage until the start of his or hernext turn.



Obedience’s Reward Warlock Attack 1 7

Atyour command, an ally leapsforward to savage an enemy.However, that comrade suffers your ire ifhe or she wastes theopportunityyou provide.

Encounter 4 Arcane, HealingStandard Action Melee touch or Ranged 5Target: One allyEffect The target can use a free action either to make a

melee basic attack or to charge, gaining a power bonus tothe attack roll of either attack equal to your Intelligencemodifier. If the target’s attack hits, it deals 2d8 extradamage. If it misses every target, the target takes damageequal to the higher of your Charisma or Constitutionmodifiers, and you regain the use of this power.Sorcerer-King Pact: If you spend your fell might, the

target’s attack also deals extra damage equal to yourWarlock’s Curse damage if it hits.

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LEvEL 19 DAILY SPELL LEVEL 25 DAiLY SPELL

Voice of the Dictator Warlock Attack 19

Whenyou speak, the voice ofAndropints, sorcerer-king ofBalic,joins your own, giving weight and power to your commands.

Daily 4 Arcane, Charm, Implement, PsychicStandard Action Close burst 5Target One creature that can hear you in burstAttack: Charisma or Constitution vs. WillHit The target is dominated (save ends).

Each Failed Saving Throw: The target takes psychicdamage equal to your Charisma or Constitution modifier,and one ally within 5 squares of you gains temporary hitpoints equal to your Charisma or Constitution modifier.

Miss: 2d1 2 + Charisma or Constitution modifierpsychic damage.


Cerulean Shield Warlock Utility 22

You throw up an arcane shield that catches a portion of an incoming attack andfashions it into a potent defense.

Daily 4 ArcaneImmediate Interrupt PersonalTrigger: You are hit by an attack that deals acid, cold, fire,

lightning, necrotic, radiant, or thunder damage.Effect You gain resistance equal to 10 + your Intelligence

modifier to the triggering attack’s damage types until theend of your next turn. In addition, until the end of yournext turn, any enemy that starts its turn adjacent to youtakes damage of the triggering attack’s damage types. Thedamage equals the resistance you gained from this power.



Command of Execution Warlock Attack 23

Your dire command staggers yourfoe and compels a couple ofyour allies to launch attacks against the creature.

Encounter 4 Arcane, ImplementStandard Action Melee touch or Ranged 10Target: One creatureAttack: Charisma or Constitution vs. FortitudeHit The target is dazed until the end of your next turn.

One or two of your allies within 5 squares of the targetcan use a free action either to make a melee basic attackagainst the target or to charge the target.Sorcerer-King Pact: If you spend your fell might, the allies’

attacks deal extra damage equal to your Warlock’s Cursedamage if they hit.

Word of the Sorcerer-King Warlock Attack 25

With a single powerfid word,you make your enemiesfeel themight ofa sorcerer-king.

Daily 4 Arcane, Implement, PsychicStandard Action Close blast 5Target: Each enemy in blastAttack: Charisma or Constitution vs. FortitudeHit 2d1 0 + Charisma or Constitution modifier psychic

damage, and the target is stunned (save ends).Miss: Half damage, and the target is dazed until the end of

your next turn.


Price of Def1~nce Warlock Attack 27

A ghostly hand enfolds your enemy, wrenching it toward waiting allies who dispatch it at your command.

Encounter 4 Arcane, Force, ImplementStandard Action Melee touch or Ranged 10Target: One creatureAttack: Charisma or Constitution vs. FortitudeHit 3d8 + Charisma or Constitution modifier force

damage, and the target is immobilized until the end ofyour next turn. You slide the target 5 squares to a squareadjacent to one of your allies. That ally can then make amelee basic attack against the target as an opportunityaction, gaining a power bonus to the damage roll equalto your Intelligence modifier.Sorcerer-King Pact: If you spend your fell might, after

your ally’s attack, you can slide the target 5 squares toa square adjacent one of your allies. That ally can thenmake a melee basic attack against the target as anopportunity action, with a power bonus to the damageroll equal to your Intelligence modifier.

LEVEL 29 DAiLY SPELL

Dregoth’s Ashen Curse Warlock Attack 29

You ignite your enemy with blackfire that corrupts thefleshand soul. As theflames gutter out,yourfoe’s body begins to turnto ash.

Daily 4 Arcane, Fire, Implement, NecroticStandard Action Melee touch or Ranged 10Target: One creatureAttack: Charisma or Constitution vs. ReflexHit: 3d8 + Charisma or €onstitution modifier fire damage,

and the target is slowed and takes ongoing 1 5 firedamage (save ends both).Aftereffect: The target is slowed, is weakened, and takes

ongoing 1 5 necrotic damage (save ends all).Miss: Half damage, and ongoing 10 necrotic damage (save

ends).

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EPiC DESTiNIESThe mightiest heroes ofAthas have many possibledestinies. By following one of these callings, a character can achieve power that rivals even that of thesorcerer-kings.

AvANG10Arcane power sings inyouI soul as a blessingfrom theworld you have helped preserve.

Prerequisite: 21st level, any arcane class

Although your magic derives from drawing energyfrom the world, you have gained your power throughrespect and compassion. The primal spirits—ancientpowers of the world—have begun to count you amongtheir kin. Through your devotion to the preserver’spath, you have transcended mortal boundaries andgained magical prowess. With your newfound power,though, comes the grave responsibility of freeing theworld from those who would defile it.

You feel the pulse of the world and hear the whispers of its spirits. Your soul keeps you in a constantmeditative connection with creation. The life forceofAthas weaves its threads into your being, linkingyour mind, body, and soul with the world. Using this

connection, you can alter your mortal formto become a bright, winged spirit.

1MMORTAUTVAs a creature that embodies preserving magic, deathis meaningless to you. You no longer age, and tryingto kill you is like trying to destroy the wind or thestars. Though the wind might grow calm and thestars might become dim, they always return in time.It is the same with you.

Avangion Apotheosis: As your destiny nears,words of creation enter your thoughts, teaching youhow to preserve and nurture life. You gain the powerand the knowledge to guide Athas into a vibrant ageofverdant terrain, flowing water, and peaceful life.You become a harbinger of hope, working toward abrighter future under the red sun.

AVANGJON FEATURESAvatar of Preservation (21st level): You can no

longer use arcane defiling. Also, you gain a bonus todeath saving throws equal to halfyour highest abilitymodifier, and you no longer age.

Perfection of Mind (21st level): Choose twoability scores from among Intelligence, Wisdom, andCharisma. Each of those ability scores increases by 2.

Avangion Transformation (24th level): Yougain low-light vision and a fly speed equal to yourspeed. In addition, you can speak Supernal andunderstand speech and writing in all languages.

You can use a free action to illuminate squareswithin 5 squares ofyou with bright light. While providing this illumination, you can choose to have yourattacks deal radiant damage in addition to any otherdamage types they might have. For example, ifyourscorching burst normally deals fire damage, you canchoose to instead deal fire and radiant damage whenyou hit.

Avangion Rising (30th level): Whenever you oran ally you can see drops to 0 hit points or fewer, youcan spend a healing surge as a free action to restorehit points to that character equal to your healingsurge value plus your highest ability modifier.

AVANGION POWER

Wings of Gold Avangion Utility 26

Your wings become rippling waves ofgolden light that bolsteryour allies and debilitate certainfoes.

Daily 4 Arcane, Healing, ZoneMinor Action Close burst 5Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of

the encounter. When you move, the zone moves withyou, remaining centered on you. While within the zone,enemies that have vulnerability to radiant damage treattheir vulnerability as vulnerability to all damage. In addition, whenever any ally starts his or her turn within thezone, he or she can make a saving throw to end an effect,including one that does not normally end on a save. Anybloodied or dying ally that starts his or her turn withinthe zone regains 10 hit points.


DRAGON KINGYou embody the path ofdefiling, and even the mightiestdefilers pale before your new, deadlyform.

Prerequisite: 21st level, arcane defiling power

You have always taken what you wanted, especiallywith regard to magic. Power is for the strong—forthose willing to do anything to gain and maintain it.

Only weaklings concern themselves with measuredascension. The defilers of legend, including thesorcerer-kings, knew that one must seize power whenand where possible, regardless of the consequences.

Dark fables intrigue you, their words hinting at anultimate transformation for Athas’s most powerfuldefilers. Through searching or invention, you havediscerned the rituals necessary to make this transformation a reality. Perhaps you reached the solutionthrough your independence and cunning. Or maybeyou relied on the methods ofyour predecessors, succeeding where they failed. Whatever the case, youonce again proved your superiority over the defilerswho came before you.

iMMORTAlITYAs you grow in power, you begin to lose your humanform and take on a draconic shape. At the height ofyour strength, you transform into a dragon, gainingthe mythic power associated with their reptilianbodies. Your soul remains bound beneath your scalyarmor, protected until you tire of existence.

Draconic Ascension: As your destiny approaches,you gain the final cold-blooded insight you need tocomplete your transformation. As a dragon, you mightcreate a domain worthy ofyour ambition. You couldtopple the petty sorcerer-kings or fashion yourself as agod of those who don’t know better.

DRAGON KiNG FEATURESSkin of the Dragon (21st level): You gain low-

light vision and a +2 bonus to Intimidate checks. Inaddition, you gain S hit points and add your Constitution modifier to your healing surge value.

Draconian Defilement (21st level): Whenyou use arcane defiling, your rerofl gains a +2 powerbonus to the attack roll or a +6 power bonus to thedamage roll.

Draconic Transformation (24th level): Yougain a fly speed of 8 and can speak Draconic. Also,choose two ability scores from among Intelligence,Strength, and Constitution. Each of those abilityscores increases by 2.

Draconic Terror (30th level): You gain the scathing breath power.

In addition, you can use draconic rampage once perencounter without expending its daily use. When youdo so, the power’s effect lasts until the end ofyournext turn instead ofuntil the end of the encounter.

Scathing Breath Dragon King Feature

You channel energy through your implement and intoyour draconicform, spewingforth a blinding blast ofhotash and grit.

Encounter + Arcane, Fire, ImplementStandard Action Close blast 5Target: Each creature in blastAttack: Primary ability score vs. ReflexHit: 4d8 + ability modifier fire damage, and the target is

blinded until the end of its next turn.

DRAGON KING POWER

Draconic Rampage Dragon King Utility 26

Your animalistic rage boils over, and you transform into adraconic terror.

Daily + Arcane, Implement, PolymorphMinor Action - PersonalEffect You assume the form of a rampaging dragon until

the end of the encounter. While you are in this form,your size increases to Large, and whenever a nonminioncreature within 10 squares of you drops to 0 hit points,you gain 10 temporary hit points. In addition, while inthis form, you can make the following attack.Immediate Reaction Melee 1Trigger: An enemy willingly enters a square adjacent

to you.Target: The triggering enemyAttack: Primary ability score vs. ReflexHit: 2d8 + ability modifier damage, and you knock the

target prone.

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HORDEMASTERNomads and exiles, slaves andfreefolk all of them rally toyour banner to sweep away the corruption ofcivilization.

Prerequisite: 21st level

You reject civilization and the temptations of thecities. You see the city-states groan beneath thesorcerer-kings’ tyrannies, and you observe how thepeople fear to speak out. The city dwellers, even non-slaves, give up freedom and morality for the promiseofwealth and protection, but you do not make thatchoice. You have turned to the wilds to be your haven,abandoning “civilized” folk to the fate they deserve.You hone your body and master your techniques untilthe day comes when you will be powerful enoughto tear down the city walls and bring an end to thesorcerer-kings’ villainy.

As you embark on this destiny, your actions winyou renown throughout the land. Wherever yougo, people come to glimpse you. Throughout Athas,people whisper about your power and your intentions. Cities and merchant houses send envoys,bringing you tribute and seeking your favor. Raiders, refugees, escaped slaves, and fugitives flock toyou. Some come to learn from you, and others cometo fight on your behalf. Between your adventures, amighty entourage surrounds you. Yet despite youracclaim, you are quick to strike out on your own orwith a few trusted companions when adventure calls.Only cowards would have others fight on their behalf.

IMMORTALiTYThe desert tribes ofyour race human, halfling, elf,thri-kreen, goliath, whatever your kind flock to yourbanner. With them come exiles, brigands, mercenaries, and adventurers, all ofwhom sense the winds ofchange blowing across the deserts. A mighty stormgathers around you, a storm ofwar and blood thatwill cleanse the world of corruption. Whether youlead your horde away from the Tyr Region to founda realm elsewhere, or whether you challenge thecities of the sorcerer-kings, your decisions will foreverchange Athas.

Shaker ofThrones: Upon completing your finalquest, you unleash the long-awaited war. Cities burn,and your warriors conquer. Whether you are a bloodsoaked warrior or an inspiring liberator, your hordereshapes history. When death arrives at last, yourlegend survives you; for a thousand years, your namewill represent ferocity and military prowess.

HORDEMASTER FEATURESHorde Champion (21st level): Two ability scores

ofyour choice both increase by 2.Swarming Followers (21st level): While you are

adjacent to an enemy, any ally who starts his or herturn adjacent to that enemy can shift 1 square as aminor action during his or her turn.

The Legend Lives On (24th level): Ifyou dieand do not return to life within 12 hours, a devotedfollower, such as a trusted lieutenant, takes yourplace, adopting your identity, your equipment, andyour goals. This follower is identical to you, with thesame level, race, class, paragon path, epic destiny,feats, and so forth. The two ofyou are essentially thesame person and even have the same memories and

~ experiences, if only because your follower listenedso closely to your tales. Ifyou are revived after beingdead for more than 12 hours, your trusted followerreturns to his or her former role.

Horde Attack (3 0th level): Once per encounter, when you or an ally within S squares ofyou first

k~ becomes bloodied in an encounter, you and eachally within 5 squares ofyou can use an at-will attackpower as a free action.

HORDEMASTER POWER


Persisting Command Hordemaster Utility 26

Your leadership inspires your allies and ensures that they do notfall to injury or adverse effects.Daily 4- Healing, ZoneMinor Action Close burst 5Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of

the encounter. When you move, the zone moves withyou, remaining centered on you. While your allies arewithin the zone, they gain a +2 power bonus to savingthrows. In addition, when any of your allies spends ahealing surge to regain hit points while within the zone,he or she regains hit points equal to twice his or herhealing surge value.

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IND LORD OF THE ORDERAn unbalanced mind is as destructive and as harmful asthe most reckless defiler.

Prerequisite: 21st level, any psionic class thatuses power points

Through self-training or extensive study, you havelearned to control psionic energy and wield it in aresponsible and careful fashion. As you masteredyour art, you realized that many are reckless withtheir talents. Like arcane magic, psionic powerharbors the potential to unleash incalculable destruction. To avert catastrophe, you realized that anywho dabble in these mysterious techniques must bewatched, guided, and taught to control their talents.

Your revelation and growing power attracted theOrder, an ancient society of psionic adepts who standapart from the land’s struggles. The Order is concerned only with maintaining balance among thosewho wield psionic power. As a member of the Order,you have dedicated your life to ensuring that thosewho wield psionic magic use their power responsiblyand with restraint.

1MMORTAUTYAs your exploits grow, you gain honor among othermembers ofthe Order. In time, they come to recognizeyou as foremost among them. Your power, wisdom,and temperance represent everything that a memberofthe Order should aspire to. As you face increasinglydangerous challenges, you recognize a greater destinythan containing the reckless use ofpsionic power.

Psionic Legions: Having accomplished all you setout to do, you are free to turn your attention towardshepherding the world into a brighter future. Youbelieve that the key to correcting Athas’s course liesthrough psionic power. Among the populace, youfoster respect and discipline for psionic magic, ushering in a new age ofpsionic mastery that can breakthe sorcerer-kings’ rule and free the world from theirdestructive influence.

MiND LORD OF THE ORDERFEATURES

Ordered Enlightenment (21st level): Your Intelligence and Wisdom scores increase by 2.

Mind Lord’s Armor (21st level): You gain resist15 psychic.

Mind Lord’s Projection (24th level): Wheneveryou drop to 0 hit points or fewer, you can project yourmind into the body of a willing ally within 10 squaresofyou. Your body is still subject to effects, but youignore these while inhabiting your host body. Instead,you are subject to any effects on your host body,though you do not take damage that it takes. Yourbody is still dying, soit continues to take damage andmake death saving throws as normal. Ifyour bodydies, you die. Ifyour host body dies, you can project

your mind into the body of another willing allywithin 10 squares ofyour current host. You return toyour body when it is no longer dying or dead.

While inhabiting your ally’s body, you occupyhis or her space but otherwise continue to act asyourself, using the same initiative and with access toyour class features, powers, skills, feats, power points,and so forth. You use your own attack bonuses, skillbonuses, damage bonuses, and so on, but you muststill meet any requirements (but not prerequisites) ofyour powers or feats. Ifyou have a power that deals[W] damage, the weapon your host body is wieldingdetermines that value. You continue to receive thebenefit ofyour magic item enhancement bonuses andproperties, but you cannot use those items’ powers.

Psionic Reservoir (30th level): The first timeyou start your turn without any power points duringan encounter, you regain 6 power points.

MiND LORD OF THE ORDER POWER

Synchronous Mind Lord of the Order Utility 26

MindsYou cast out~your thoughts, allowing sour allies to communicateand act more efficiently

Daily + PsionicMinor Action Close burst 10Target: Each ally in burstEffect: Each target can immediately.take a standard action

as an opportunity action. You dèEiçle the order in whichthe targets act. In addition, until tIi~ end of the encounter, you and each target gain telepathy 10 when communicating with allies. .-


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PYREENYou demand nothing less than the destruction of the sorcerer kings and a state ofeternal peace.

Prerequisite: 21st level, any primal class orprimal theme

The ancient, long-lived pyreens embody all life onAthas. In their features are the traits of every race.Many of them share ancestry with the primal spirits.From your early years, you felt a kinship with theserare and elusive creatures. As time went on, and yourprimal power grew, you became one of them.

As a powerful primal protector, you guard a vastregion of land. The Forest Ridge or the Estuary of theForked Tongue might be under your personal protection. The spirits of the land listen to your counsel andregard you as one of them. They exalt you, because youhave the ability to restore the world to verdant glory.

As a pyreen, you can never die from old age. Thisquality gives you a perspective others lack: Thethings worth fighting for in the world are those thatlast. Though you might assist people in fixing whatyou regard as trivial plights, you rarely put your lifein jeopardy for their sakes. You know that a muchgreater destiny awaits you.


iMMORTALITYYour destiny is fulfilled as the sorcerer kings fall. Thenatural forces grow strong once again, and the tyranny ofdefiling and slavery crumbles. You have livedup to your purpose as a beacon ofhope and a swornenemy ofAthas’s dark rulers.

Peace.Bringer: You contributed to the fall of thesorcerer-kings—a triumph that will allow the worldto slowly renew itself. Now, your task is to serve as acaretaker for the world as it returns to its past glory.You plant the seeds and tend the shoots that willsomeday spread to cover Tyr and the lands beyond.While you watch over the burgeoning groves ofAthas, you also keep an eye on the new civilizationsthat spring up from the wreckage of the city states.You will help them move away from the dark magicand cruel practices of the past.

PYREEN FEATURESChild ofAll Races (21st level): You speak Super

nal, and you can speak and understand all languages.Whenever you make a Diplomacy check or an Insightcheck, you roll twice and use either result. In addition, you no longer age.

Strong in Mind and Spirit (21st level): Choosetwo ability scores from among Intelligence, Wisdom,and Charisma. Each of those ability scores increasesby2.

Resurgent Spirit (24th level): Once per daywhen you drop to 0 hit points or fewer, at the startofyour next turn you regain hit points equal to yourbloodied value and become insubstantial until theend of the encounter.

Pyreen’s Restoration (30th level): Wheneverany ally starts his or her turn adjacent to you, he orshe can make a saving throw against one effect thata save can end. If the ally fails this saving throw, youcan transfer that effect to yourself as a free action.The effect you take cannot be transferred to any ofyour allies.

PYREEN POWER

Rejuvenate the Land Pyreen Utility 26

A wave ofprimal magic spreads outwardfrom you, wipingaway the scourge of defiling magic and healing your allies.

Daily + Healing, Primal, ZoneMinor Action Close burst 5Target: Each ally in burstEffect Each target can choose to lose one or two healing

surges. For each healing surge lost in this manner, onetarget regains hit points as though he or she had spent ahealing surge. In addition, each target can make a savingthrow against one effect on him or her that a save can end.

The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end ofyour next turn. The zone is difficult terrain for your enemies. Any ally that ends his or her turn within the zoneregains 10 hit points and gains a +2 power bonus to saying throws until the start of his or her next turn.


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NEW FEATSMost of the feats presented in this section use thesame format as those in the Player’s Handbook. Somefeats have your character’s theme (see Chapter 3) asa prerequisite. These feats augment or enhance thepowers and benefits ofyour theme. Other feats letcharacters specialize in weapons or fighting stylesspecific to Athas.

ARENA FIG TING FEATSThe city-states across the Tyr Region boast famousarenas where gladiators can find glory and fortune,or swift and hideous deaths. Free gladiators travelbetween city-states, for each location has its own distinct fighting style to offer.

The arena fighting feats in this book are similarto the arena fighting feats presented in Dragon #3 68.They provide benefits when you use martial at-willattack powers associated with them. The benefitapplies to any associated power you know. You cantake any number of arena fighting feats, but you canuse only one at a time. Ifyou have two arena fightingfeats that modify the same power, you must decidewhich feat applies before you attack with that power.The arena fighting feats note which books their associated powers come from: the Player’s Handbook (PH),Martial PowerTM (MP), or Martial Power 2 (MP2).

FAMILIAR FEATSCharacters who have the Arcane Familiar feat (seethe Arcane PowerTM supplement) can take a familiarfeat, provided they meet any other prerequisites.

HEROIC TIER FEATSFeats in this section are available to characters of anylevel who meet the prerequisites.

ADAPTABL.E NATUREPrerequisite: GoliathBenefit: Whenever any creature you can see suc

ceeds on a skill check, you gain a +2 feat bonus to thatskill until the end ofyour next turn.

ADVANTAGEOUS FORMATJONPrerequisite: Dune trader theme, quickformation

power

ARENA-FIGHTER’S RECOVERYPrerequisite: Fighter, Arena Training class featureBenefit: When you use your second wind, you

gain a bonus to damage rolls with your arena weapons until the end ofyour next turn. The bonus isequal to your Dexterity modifier.

BRED FOR BATmEPrerequisite: MulBenefit: You gain a +2 racial bonus to initiative

checks. During the first round of an encounter, yougain a +1 bonus to attack rolls and speed.

BRUTiSH DiSRUPTIONPrerequisite: Con 13, gladiator theme, disrupting

advance powerBenefit: When you hit a target with your disrupting

advance, you push the target a number of squares equalto 2 + your Constitution modifier, instead of 2 squares.

CAHULAKS EXPERTPrerequisite: 7th level, proficiency with cahulaksBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 6 or higher

utility powers for the drag behind power.

Benefit: When one ofyour allies affected by yourquickformation shifts adjacent to an enemy, he or shegains combat advantage against that enemy until theend ofyour next turn.

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HEROIC TIER FEATSArena Fighting FeatsCriterion of Balic PracticeDraji Palatial PracticeEldaarich Guarded PracticeGuig Hunter PracticeKalidnay Pairs PracticeNibenay’s Glory PracticeRaam’s Maw PracticeTyrian Victory PracticeUrikite Staff PracticeYaramite GiantslayerPractice

Benefit+1 to Acrobatics and Athletics enhance certain at-will attack powers+2 to Intimidate checks, enhance certain at-will attack powers+2 to Insight checks, enhance certain at-will attack powers+3 to climb or jump, enhance certain at-will attack powers+1 to Perception checks, enhance certain at-will attack powers+2 to Endurance checks, enhance certain at-will attack powers+2 to Athletics checks, enhance certain at-will attack powers+2 to Heal checks, enhance certain at-will attack powers+2 to Stealth checks, enhance certain at-will attack powers+2 to Acrobatics checks, enhance certain at-will attack powers

Arcane Defiling Feats Prerequisites BenefitDefiling Action

Theft of Courage

Arcane defiling

Arcane defiling

On action point, use arcane defiling with arcane at-willor encounter powerDefiled power bestows -2 penalty to defenses

PrerequisitesDune trader, quickformation€on 13, gladiator,disrup~j~g advanceVeiled Alliance, excise from sightElemental pjj~t, spirit ofAthasGladiator, disrupting advanceWasteland nomad, wastelandfuryWasteland nomad, wastelandfury

Elemental of Guardianship Elemental priest, spirit ofAthasExpanded Excision Veiled Alliance, excise from sight

BenefitTarget of quickformation gains combat advantagePush target of disrupting advance extra squares

Excisefrom sight makes one extra character invisibleAlly marks enemies near your spirit when you dismiss itTarget of disruptin8 advance falls prone on a hitSlide the target of wastelandfury and then follow itTarget of wastelandfury is dazed if you have combatadvantage against itAllies near spirit when dismissed gain +2 defensesExcisefrom sight makes character invisible to all enemiesadjacent to targetAlly targeted by adept’s insight can also shiftMark an enemy you hit with a primal guardian attackPoisoned strike deals more damageGain combat advantage against enemy when youscore critical hitDeal cold, fire, or lightning damage with mark of thunderAlly targeted by adept’s insight gains bonus to AC, WillMark of thunder lasts until save+2 to defenses for character shifting from quickformationTarget takes -2 to saving throwsYou daze target of templar’sfist on a hitYou slide target of ternplar’s fist on a hitYou and adjacent allies gain temporary hp when youscore critical hit

Familiar FeatSpirit’s Reward

Other PrerequisitesArcane Familiar

BenefitGain temporary hp if adjacent to familiar and not defiling

Battlemind Feats Other Prerequisites BenefitPull target of wildfocus 2 extra squaresIncrease the forced movement of your battlemind powers by 1

Fighter FeatsArena-Fighter’s RecoveryExtended Arena Training

Other PrerequisitesArena TrainingArena Training


PrerequisitesAny martial classAny martial classAny martial classAny martial classAny martial classAny martial classAny martial classAny martial classAny martial classAny martial class

Character Theme FeatsAdvantageous FormationBrutish Disruption

Concealed ConspiratorsDefender’s FriendDisrupting ShoveDrag to DeathDune’s Advantage

Fluid Form SchoolingGuardian’s MarkInescapable PoisonLingering Surge

Mark of ElementsMind Barrier SchoolingPersisting ThunderQuick DefenseStinging PoisonTemplar’s Dazing FistTemplar’s Tugging FistWilder Rejuvenation

Noble adept, adept’s insightPrimal guardianAthasian minstrel, poisoned strikeWilder

Primal guardian, mark of thunderNoble adept, adept’s insightPrimal guardian, mark of thunderDune trader qyjçjçformationAthasian minstrel, poisoned strikeTemplar, templar’s fistTemplar, templar’s fistWilder

Kinetic ReelTelekinetic Savant

WildfocusWildfocus

BenefitGain damage bonus with arena weapons after second windGain proficiency and arena training with two extra weapons

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Drag BehindUsing your cahulaks, you entangle your enemy and drag thecreature behind you as you move across the battlefield.

Encounter + MartialMove Action Melee 1Requirement: You must be wielding a cahulaks.Target: One immobilized or prone creatureEffect: You move your speed, pulling the target with you.

You do not provoke an opportunity attack from the target for this movement.

CAHULAKS NOVICEPrerequisite: 4th level, proficiency with cahulaksBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 3 or higher

encounter attack powers for the tripping cahulaks power.

Tripping Cahulaks Feat Power

The weighted end ofyour cahulaks catches your opponent, pulling the enemy closer while you preparefor another attack if ittries to escape.

Encounter + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponRequirement: You must be wielding a cahulaks.Target One creaturePrimary Attack: Strength vs. AC (main end)Hit: 1 [WI + Strength modifier damage, and you pull the

target 1 square. Until the start of your next turn, you canmake the following secondary attack against the target.Level 17: 2[W] + Strength modifier damage.Level 27: 3[W] + Strength modifier damage.Opportunity Action Melee 1Trigger: The target willingly enters a square that is not

adjacent to you while you are wielding a cahulaks.Secondary Attack: Strength vs. AC (off-hand end)Hit 1 [WI damage, and you knock the target prone.

CAHULAKS SPEC1AUSTPrerequisite: 10th level, proficiency with

cahulaksBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 9 or higher

daily attack powers for the binding cahulaks power.

Binding Cahulaks Feat Power

You spin your cahulaks and hurl it at a distantfoe. The weighted cords wrap around the enemy and cause it tofall.

Daily + Martial, Reliable, WeaponStandard Action Ranged weaponRequirement You must be wielding a cahulaks.Target: One creatureAttack: Strength vs. Reflex (main end)Hit 1 [WI + 1 [WI (off-hand end) + Strength modifier

damage, and you knock the target prone. The target isimmobilized (save ends).Level 25: 2[W] + 2[Wl (off.hand end) + Strength modifier

damage.

CRITERION OF BAUC PRACTiCE[ARENA FiGHTING]

Prerequisite: Any martial classBenefit: You gain a +1 feat bonus to Acrobatics

checks and Athletics checks.When you use a power associated with this feat

and hit an enemy with it, you can shift 1 square, or 2squares ifyou are an elf. The shift is a free action, andyou ignore difficult terrain during it.

Powers: careful attack (ranger PH), cleave (fighterPH), piercing strike (rogue PH), viper’s strike (warlord PH)

DEFENDER’S FRIENDPrerequisite: Elemental priest theme, spirit of

Athas powerBenefit: When you dismiss the spirit conjured

by your spirit ofAthas, until the end ofyour next turneach enemy within 2 squares of the dismissed spiritis marked by one ally you can see and who is within 5squares of the spirit.

DEFIUNG ACTIONPrerequisite: Arcane defiling powerBenefit: When you spend an action point to use

an at-will or an encounter arcane attack power, youcan use your arcane defiling with that power.

DISRUPTING SHOVEPrerequisite: Gladiator theme, disrupting

advance powerBenefit: When you hit a target with your disrupting

advance, the target falls prone at the end of the push.

DRAGON PAW EXPERTPrerequisite: 7th level, proficiency with

dragon pawBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 6 or higher

utility powers for the warding talon power.

Warding Talon Feat Power

Enemies trying tofind an opening in your defrnsesface a sw~ftslashfromyour dragon paw.

Daily + Martial, StanceMinor Action PersonalEffect: You assume the warding talon stance. Until the

stance ends, while you are wielding a dragon paw, anyenemy that hits you with an opportunity attack takes1 [WI damage (off-hand end).Level 21: 2[W] damage (ofiThand end).

,~


Feat Power CONCEALED CONSPIRATORSPrerequisite: Veiled Alliance theme, excisefrom ~

sight power - u..

Benefit: When you hit with your excisefrom sight, ~you choose one additional character within 10 squares W

ofyou. That character also becomes invisible to the Ztarget of the power until the end ofyour next turn.

HEROIC TIER FEATS CONTINUEDMonk FeatFour-Armed Flurry

Other PrerequisitesThri-kreen, Flurry of Blows

Other PrerequisitesThri-kreen, Hunter’s Quarry

BenefitOne target of Flurry of Blows power takesextra damage

enefitDeal damage to adjacent foe when usingHunter’s Quarry

BenefitAlly gains temporary hp when you conjurespirit companionAlly adjacent to dismissed spirit can shift

Warlock FeatsMindBite Scorn

Psionic Scorn

Scornful Denial

Other PrerequisitesWarlock’s Curse,sorcerer-king pactSorcerer-king pact,1 or more power pointsSorcerer-king pact

BenefitCurse deals 1 d6 extra psychic damage

Regain 1 power point instead of regaining fell might

Saving throw when you regain your fell might

Any ClassAdaptable NatureBred for Battle

Cahulaks NoviceCahulaks ExpertCahulaks SpecialistDragon Paw NoviceDragon Paw ExpertDragon Paw SpecialistDutiful ServantFlailing ClawsGouge NoviceGouge ExpertGouge SpecialistGythka NoviceGythka ExpertGythka SpecialistHumanity’s HeirInvigorating ToughnessLegacy of Stone

Lotulis NoviceLotulis ExpertLotulis SpecialistMul’s StaminaNet NoviceNet ExpertNet SpecialistStone’s Wrath

Whip NoviceWhip ExpertWhip SpecialistWild Talent Master

PrerequisitesGoliathMul

4th level, proficiency with cahulaks7th level, proficiency with cahulaks10th level, proficiency with cahulaks4th level, proficiency with dragon paw7th level, proficiency with dragon paw10th level, proficiency with dragon pawGoliathThri-kreen, thri-kreen claws4th level, proficiency with gouge7th level, proficiency with gouge10th level, proficiency with gouge4th level, proficiency with gythka7th level, proficiency with gythka10th level, proficiency with gythkaMulMul, incredible toughnessMul

4th level, proficiency with lotulis7th level, proficiency with lotulis10th level, proficiency with lotulisMul4th level, proficiency with net7th level, proficiency with net10th level, proficiency with netGoliath, stone’s endurance

4th level, proficiency with whip7th level, proficiency with whip10th level, proficiency with whip

Benefit+2 to skill when you observe successful skill check+1 to attacks and speed during first round ofencounter, +2 to initiative checksSwap encounter attack power f~j tripping cahulaksSwap utility power for drag behindSwap daily attack power for binding cahulaksSwap encounter attack power for dragon rampageSwap utility power for warding talonSwap daily attack power forfurious dragon assault+1 to attack with attacks granted by alliesThri-kreen claws power becomes reliableSwap encounter attack power for g~ugçj~ç_epSwap utility power for gouge pressSwap daily attack power for gouge pinSwap encounter attack power for gythka claw swoopSwap utility power for gythka parrySwap daily attack power for gythka arc slam+1 to one defense, +2 to one ~If~iJ1Use incredible toughness to gain temporary hp+2 to saving throws against poison, reduceforced movement while not bloodiedSwap encounter attack power for lotulis flurrySwap utility power for lotulis parrySwap daily attack power for whirling lotulis÷1 healing surge, roll twice for Endurance checksSwap encounter attack power for net sweepSwap utility power for net shieldSwap daily attack power for net trapWhen damaged after stone’s endurance, deal1 d6 extra damageSwap encounter attack power for whip snareSwap utility power for whip crackSwap daily attack power for entangling whipGain three wild talents

Ranger FeatHunting Thri-Kreen

Shaman FeatsSpirit of Vigor

Other PrerequisitesElemental Spirit

Spirit’s Step Elemental Spirit

L


DRAGON PAW NovicEPrerequisite: 4th level, proficiency with


encounter attack powers for the dragon rampagepower.

Dragon Rampage Feat Power

The enemy might have you surrounded, but afew quick strikesfromyour dragon paw deterfoesfrom remaining close.

Encounter + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponRequirement You must be wielding a dragon paw.Primary Target: One creaturePrimary Attack: Strength vs. AC (main end)Hit: 1 [WI + Strength modifier damage.

Level 17: 2[W] + Strength modifier damage.Level 27: 3 [WI + Strength modifier damage.

Effect Make a secondary attack.Secondary Target: One or two creatures other than the

primary targetSecondary Attack: Strength vs. AC (off-hand end)Hit: 1 [WI + Strength modifier damage, or 2[WI + Strength

modifier if you target only one creature with thesecondary attack.

DRAGON PAW SPECIALISTPrerequisite: 10th level, proficiency with


daily attack powers for the furious dragon assaultpower.

Furious Dragon AssaultYou lash out your dragon paw and deliver a sw(ft, punishingstrike against a single enemy before turning to otherfoes.

Daily + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponRequirement: You must be wielding a dragon paw.Primary Target: One creaturePrimary Attack: Strength vs. AC (main end)Hit 3[W] + Strength modifier damage, and you slide the

target 1 square.Level 25: 4[W] + Strength modifier damage.

Effect Make a secondary attack that is a close burst 1.Secondary Target Each enemy you can see in burst other

than the primary targetSecondary Attack: Strength vs. AC (off-hand end)Hit: 1 [WI + Strength modifier damage, and you push the

secondary target 1 square and knock it prone.Level 25: 21W] + Strength modifier damage.

Miss: Half damage.

DRAG TO DEATHPrerequisite: Wasteland nomad theme, wasteland

fury powerBenefit: When you hit with your wastelandfury,

after the attack you can slide the target 2 squares toa square that is not adjacent to one ofyour allies. Youcan then shift 3 squares to a square adjacent to thetarget.

DRAB PALATIAL PRACTiCE

IARENA FIGHTiNG]Prerequisite: Any martial class, trained in

IntimidateBenefit: You gain a +2 feat bonus to Intimidate

checks.When you use a power associated with this feat,

the target takes a —2 penalty to attack rolls until theend ofyour next turn.

Powers: circling strike (ranger MP), deft strike(rogue PH),furious smash (warlord PH), sure strike(fighter PH)

DUNE’S ADVANTAGEPrerequisite: Wasteland nomad theme, wasteland

fury powerBenefit: When you hit a target granting combat

advantage to you with your wastelandfury, the targetis dazed until the end ofyour next turn.

DUTIFUL SERVANTPrerequisite: GoliathBenefit: You gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls on

attacks granted by your allies’ powers.

ELDAARICH GUARDED PRACTICE

[ARENA FIGHTING]Prerequisite: Any martial classBenefit: You gain a +2 feat bonus to Insight

checks.Feat Power When you use a power associated with this feat

and hit an enemy with it, you do not grant combatadvantage for being flanked until the start ofyournext turn.

Powers: marauder’s rush (ranger MP2), riposte strike(rogue PH), tide ofiron (fighter PH), wolfpack tactics(warlord PH)

ELEMENTAL OF GUARDiANSHIPPrerequisite: Elemental priest theme, spirit of

Athas powerBenefit: When you dismiss the spirit conjured by

your spirit ofAthas, each ally within 2 squares of thespirit gains a +2 bonus to all defenses until the end ofyour next turn.

EXPANDED EXcisioNPrerequisite: Veiled Alliance theme, excisefrom

sight powerBenefit: When you hit with your excisefrom sight,

any character who becomes invisible as a result of thepower’s effect is also invisible to each enemy adjacentto the target. This invisibility lasts until the end ofyour next turn.

CHAPTER 4 Character Options•“~J 107

.9

EXTENDED ARENA TRAININGPrerequisite: Fighter, Arena Training class featureBenefit: You gain proficiency with two weapons,

which become additional arena weapons for you.

FLAiLING CLAWSPrerequisite: Thri-kreen, thri kreen claws powerBenefit: Your thri-kreen claws gains the reliable

keyword.

FLUID FORM ScHooLiNGPrerequisite: Noble adept theme, adept’s insight

powerBenefit: When you modify an ally’s triggering

attack roll, saving throw, or skill check with youradept’s insight, that ally can shift 2 squares as a freeaction after that attack roll, saving throw, or skillcheck is resolved.

FOUR-ARMED FLURRYPrerequisite: Thri-kreen, monk, Flurry of Blows

powerBenefit: When you use your Flurry of Blows, your

attack deals 2 extra damage to one of the power’stargets.

GOUGE EXPERTPrerequisite: 7th level, proficiency with gougeBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 6 or higher

utility powers for the gouge press power.

Gouge Press Feat Power

When an enemy staggers under your gouge assault, you adroitlyfollow

Encounter + MartialFree Action PersonalTrigger: You hit an enemy with a gouge.Effect: You shift 3 squares to a square adjacent to the

enemy.

GOUGE NOVICEPrerequisite: 4th level, proficiency with gougeBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 3 or higher

encounter attack powers for the gouge sweep power.

Gouge Sweep Feat Power

You swing your gouge in an arc, thrusting it at a couplefoes toknock them aside.

Encounter + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponRequirement: You must be wielding a gouge.Target: One or two creaturesAttack: Strength vs. ACHit: 1 [W] + Strength modifier damage, and you slide the

target 1 square and knock it prone.Level 17: 2[W] Strength modifier damage, and you slide

the target 2 squares and knock it prone.Level 27: 31W] Strength modifier damage, and you slide

the target 3 squares and knock it prone.

GOUGE SPECIALISTPrerequisite: 10th level, proficiency with gougeBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 9 or higher

daily attack powers for the gouge pin power.

Gouge Pin Feat Power

With drivingforce, you push your enemy down and pin it to theground with your gouge.

Daily + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponRequirement: You must be wielding a gouge.Target: One creatureAttack: Strength vs. ACHit: 3[W] + Strength modifier damage.

Level 25: 4[W1 + Strength modifier damage.Miss: Half damage.Effect: You knock the target prone and grab it. Until the grab

ends, the target cannot stand up. When you attack anycreature other than the target, the grab ends. When youpush, pull, or slide the target while it is grabbed by you, thegrab does not end as a result of the forced movement, andyou can shift your speed to a square adjacent to the target.

GUARDIAN’S MARKPrerequisite: Primal guardian themeBenefit: When you hit an enemy with one ofyour

primal guardian attacks, you can mark that enemyuntil the end ofyour next turn.

‘4—.

‘F

c/


GULG HUNTER PRACTiCE[ARENA FiGHTING]

Prerequisite: Any martial classBenefit: You gain a +3 feat bonus to Athletics

checks.When you use a power associated with this feat

and hit an enemy with it while you have concealment, one ally you can see can shift 1 square as anopportunity action.

Powers:footwork lure (fighter MP), gloaming cut(rogue MP2), intuitive strike (warlord MP2), nimblestrike (ranger PH)

GYTHKA EXPERTPrerequisite: 7th level, proficiency with gythkaBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 6 or higher

utility powers for the gythka parry power.

Gythka Parry Feat Power

After delivering a solid blow, you move to a defensive positionand adjustyour grip to place your gythka between yourself andyour enemy.

Encounter + MartialFree Action PersonalTrigger: You hit an enemy with a gythka.Effect: You shift half your speed and gain a +2 power

bonus to AC and Reflex against the triggering enemyuntil the end of your next turn.

GYTHKA NovicEPrerequisite: 4th level, proficiency with gythkaBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 3 or higher

encounter attack powers for the gythka claw swooppower.

Gythka Claw Swoop Feat Power

Using the offhand end ofyour gythka as a distraction, youswipe at your enemy and then dart around to deliver a moredecisive blow with the main end.

Encounter + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponRequirement: You must be wielding a gythka.Target: One creaturePrimary Attack: Strength vs. AC (off-hand end)Hit: 1 [WI + Strength modifier damage, and the target

grants combat advantage to you until the end of yourturn.

Effect: Make a secondary attack against the target.Secondary Attack: Strength vs. AC (main end)Hit: 1 [W] + Strength modifier damage.

Level 17: 2[W1 + Strength modifier damage (main end).Level 27: 3[W] + Strength modifier damage (main end).

Effect: Before or after the secondary attack, you shift halfyour speed.

GYTHKA SPECiALISTPrerequisite: 10th level, proficiency with gythkaBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 9 or higher

daily attack powers for the gythka arc slam power.

Gythka Arc Slam Feat Power Z

You punchyourgythka into your enemy, causing it to doubleover in pain. You then heft the weapon up, ready to bring itcrashing down ~fyourfoe tries to stand.

Daily + Martial, Reliable, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponRequirement: You must be wielding a gythka.Target: One creaturePrimary Attack: Strength vs. AC (main end)Hit: 2[W] + Strength modifier damage. You slide the

target 3 squares to a square adjacent to you and knock itprone. Until the end of your next turn, you can make thefollowing secondary attack against the target.Level 25: 3[Wl + Strength modifier damage.Immediate Interrupt Melee weaponTrigger: The target stands up while you are wielding a

gythka.Secondary Attack: Strength vs. AC (off-hand end)Hit: 1 [W] damage, and the target cannot stand up (save

ends).Level 25: 21W] damage.

HUMANITY’S HEiRPrerequisite: MulBenefit: When you select this feat, choose one

skill and one defense other than AC. You gain a +2racial bonus to the chosen skill and a +1 racial bonusto the chosen defense.

HUNTING THRI-KREENPrerequisite: Thri-kreen, ranger, Hunter’s Quarry

class featureBenefit: Whenever an enemy adjacent to you

takes damage from your Hunter’s Quarry, you candeal 2 damage to one other enemy adjacent to you.This damage increases to 3 at 11th level and 4 at 21stlevel.

iNESCAPABLE POISONPrerequisite: Athasian minstrel theme, poisoned

strike powerBenefit: Your poisoned strike deals 2 extra poison

damage. In addition, when you miss a target withyour poisoned strike, that target takes 7 poisondamage.

iNVIGORATING TOUGHNESSPrerequisite: Mu!, incredible toughness racial

powerBenefit: You can expend your incredible toughness

as a free action during your turn to gain temporaryhit points equal to 5 + your Constitution modifier. Ifyou do so, you don’t gain the normal effect of incredthle toughness.


110

KALIDNAY PAIRS PRACTICE

[ARENA FiGHTiNG]Prerequisite: Any martial classBenefit: You gain a +1 feat bonus to Perception


and hit an enemy with it, one ofyour allies adjacentto that enemy gains a +1 bonus to AC until the start ofyour next turn.

Powers: brash strike (fighter MP),furious smash(warlord PH), preparatory strike (rogue MP2), strike andfade (ranger MP2)

KINETIC REELPrerequisite: Battlemind, wildfocus powerBenefit: When you use your wildfocus, you pull

the target of the power 2 additional squares.

LEGACY OF STONEPrerequisite: MulBenefit: You gain a +2 racial bonus to saving

throws against poison.When an attack pulls, pushes, or slides you while

you are not bloodied, you can ignore 1 square of theforced movement.

LINGERING SURGEPrerequisite: Wilder themeBenefit: When you score a critical hit against

an enemy, you gain combat advantage against thatenemy until the end ofyour next turn.

LOTULIS EXPERTPrerequisite: 7th level, proficiency with lotulisBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 6 or higher

utility powers for the lotulis parry power.

Lotulis Parry Feat Power

Spinning your lotulis, you ward offan incoming attack.

Encounter + MartialImmediate Interrupt PersonalTrigger: You are hit by a melee or a ranged attack while

wielding a lotulis.Effect: You gain a bonus to AC and Reflex against the trig

gering attack equal to your Wisdom modifier.

LOTUUS NOVICEPrerequisite: 4th level, proficiency with lotulisBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 3 or higher

encounter attack powers for the lotulisflurry power.


Lotulis Flurry Feat Power

You strike an enemy withyour lotulis, bashing thefoe aside or elseusing the distraction to move into position to attack anotherfoe.

Encounter 4 Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponRequirement: You must be wielding a lotulis.Primary Target: One creaturePrimary Attack: Strength or Dexterity vs. AC (main end)Hit: 2[W] + Strength or Dexterity modifier damage, and

you slide the primary target 1 square. You can forgo thesecondary attack to instead slide the primary target 5squares.Level 17: 31W] + Strength or Dexterity modifier damage.Level 27: 4[Wl + Strength or Dexterity modifier damage.

Effect After the primary attack, you shift 1 square andmake a secondary attack (if desired).Secondary Target: One creature other than the primary

targetSecondary Attack: Strength or Dexterity vs. AC (off-hand)Hit: 21W] + Strength or Dexterity modifier damage, and

you slide the secondary target 1 square.

LOTUUS SPEC1AUSTPrerequisite: 10th level, proficiency with lotulisBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 9 or higher

daily attack powers for the whirling lotulis power.

Whirling Lotulis Feat Power

You attack with your lotulis, giving you room to dash betweenyour o~ponents.

Daily 4 Martial, WeaponStandard Action Close burst 1Requirement: You must be wielding a lotulis.Target: Each enemy you can see in burstAttack: Strength or Dexterity vs. ACHit: 2[W] + Strength or Dexterity modifier damage.

Level 25: 3[W] + Strength or Dexterity modifier damage.Miss: Half damage.Effect: After the attack, you shift half your speed. During this

movement, you can move through enemies’ spaces.

MARK OF ELEMENTSPrerequisite: Primal guardian theme, mark of

thunder powerBenefit: When you use your mark of thunder, yo

can choose to deal cold, fire, or lightning damageinstead of thunder damage.

MiND BARRIER SCHOOLINGPrerequisite: Noble adept theme, adept’s

insight powerBenefit: When you modify an ally’s triggering

attack roll, saving throw, or skill check with youradept’s insight, that ally gains a +2 bonus to AC andWill until the end of his or her next turn.

MINDBITE SCORNPrerequisite: Warlock, Warlock’s Curse class fea

ture, sorcerer-king pactBenefit: Your Warlock’s Curse extra damage

increases by 1d6, and this additional damage ispsychic.

Mui.’s STAMINAPrerequisite: MulBenefit: Your number of healing surges increases

by one. In addition, when you make an Endurancecheck, you roll twice and use either result.

NET EXPERTPrerequisite: 7th level, proficiency with netBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 6 or higher

utility powers for the net shield power.

Net Shield

Encounter + MartialMinor Action PersonalRequirement: You must be wielding a net.Effect: Until the start of your next turn, you gain a +2

power bonus to AC and Reflex.

NET NOVICEPrerequisite: 4th level, proficiency with netBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 3 or higher

encounter attack powers for the net sweep power.

Net SweepYou sweep your net around you, smashing foes with the net’sweights and batting aside their attacks.

Encounter + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Close burst 1Requirement: You must be wielding a net and use it to

attack with this power.Target: Each enemy you can see in burstAttack: Strength vs. FortitudeHit: 1 [W] + Strength modifier damage, and the target is

slowed and takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls until theend of your next turn.Level 17: 21W1 + Strength modifier damage.Level 27: 31W1 + Strength modifier damage.

NET SPECiALISTPrerequisite: 10th level, proficiency with netBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 9 or higher

daily attack powers for the net trap power.

Net TrapYoufling your net so that itfalls over your enemy. While youmaintain a holdon its cord, the net tightens around yourfoe.

Daily + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee or Ranged weaponRequirement: You must be wielding a net and use it to

attack with this power.Target: One creatureAttack: Strength vs. ReflexHit: 2[W] + Strength modifier damage, and the target

is grabbed. Until the grab ends, the target takes a -5penalty to attack rolls and attempts to escape the grab.In addition, until the grab ends, you cannot attack withyour net. The grab uses the net’s long range (normally 5squares) in place of your melee reach.Level 25: 4[Wl + Strength modifier damage.

Miss: Half damage, and the target is immobilized until theend of your next turn.

NIBENAY’S GLORY PRACTICE

[ARENA FIGHTING]Prerequisite: Any martial classBenefit: You gain a +2 feat bonus to Endurance

checks.

PERsIsTiNG THUNDERPrerequisite: Primal guardian theme, mark of

thunder powerBenefit: Replace the effect ofyour mark of thunder

with the following effect: You mark the target (saveends). Until the mark ends, if the target makesan attack that does not include you, it takes 5thunder damage.

QUICK DEFENSEPrerequisite: Dune trader theme, quickformation

powerBenefit: When you use your quickformation, any

character who shifts as a result of the power gains a +2bonus to all defenses until the end ofyour next turn.

RAAM’S MAW PRACTICE

[ARENA FIGHTING]Prerequisite: Any martial classBenefit: You gain a +2 feat bonus to Athletics

SCORNFUL DENIALPrerequisite: Warlock, sorcerer-king pactBenefit: When you regain your fell might, you

can make a saving throw against an effect that a savecan end.

Once per encounter, when you use a power associated with this feat and hit an enemy with it, your nextattack against that enemy before the end ofyour nextturn gains combat advantage.

Powers: brash assault (warlord MP), deft strike

Feat Power (rogue PH), reaping strike (fighter PH), slash and sting(ranger MP2)

Using your net, you tangle up the weapons or appendages ofany creature that attempts to attack you.

PsioNic SCORN

Feat Power Prerequisite: Warlock, sorcerer-king pact, 1 ormore power points

Benefit: When a nonminion enemy cursed by youdrops to 0 hit points, you can regain 1 power pointinstead of regaining your fell might.

checks.Feat Power When you use a power associated with this feat

and hit an enemy with it, you can push that enemy 1square.

Powers: careful attack (ranger PH), paint thebull’s-eye (warlord MP2), piercing strike (rogue PH),threatening rush (fighter MP2)


111

SPiRIT OF VIGORPrerequisite: Shaman, Elemental Spirit class

featureBenefit: When you use call spirit companion as a

minor action, one ally adjacent to your spirit companion when it appears gains temporary hit points equalto your Intelligence modifier.

SPIRiT’s REWARD [FAMIUAR]Prerequisite: Arcane Familiar featBenefit: When you use an arcane daily attack

power without using arcane defiling, you or one allyadjacent to your familiar gains 5 temporary hitpoints. These temporary hit points increase to 10 at11th level and 15 at 21st level.

SPiRIT’s STEPPrerequisite: Shaman, Elemental Spirit class

featureBenefit: When your spirit companion disappears

as a result of one ofyour shaman attack powers, oneally adjacent to the companion before it disappearscan shift 1 square as a free action.

STINGiNG POISONPrerequisite: Athasian minstrel theme, poisoned

strike powerBenefit: Ifyou hit your target with your poisoned

strike, the target takes a -2 penalty to saving throwsuntil the end ofyour next turn.

STONE’S WRATHPrerequisite: Goliath, stone’s endurance racial

powerBenefit: When you take damage from an attack

while you are affected by your stone’s endurance, yournext melee attack before the end ofyour next turndeals 1d6 extra damage.

TEL.EKINETIC SAVANTPrerequisite: Battlemind, Wild Focus class

featureBenefit: You increase the distance of forced move

ment for your battlemind powers by 1 square.

TEMPLAR’S DAZING FiSTPrerequisite: Templar theme, ternplar’sfist powerBenefit: When you hit with your templar’sfist, the

target is dazed until the end ofyour next turn.

TEMPLAR’S TUGGING FISTPrerequisite: Templar theme, templar’sfist powerBenefit: When you hit with your ternplar’sfist, you

can slide the target 3 squares.

THEFT OF COURAGEPrerequisite: Arcane defiling powerBenefit: When you use an arcane daily attack

power with your arcane defiling, each enemy you hitwith the attack takes a -2 penalty to all defenses(save ends).

TYR1AN VICTORY PRACTICE

[ARENA FiGHTING]Prerequisite: Any martial classBenefit: You gain a +2 feat bonus to Heal checks.When you use a power associated with this feat

and hit an enemy with it, you gain a +2 bonus to thenext saving throw you make before the start ofyournext turn.

Powers: crushing surge (fighter MP), dishearteningstrike (rogue MP), rnarauder’s rush (ranger MP2), opening shove (warlord MP)

URIKITE STAFF PRACTICE[ARENA FIGHTING]

Prerequisite: Any martial classBenefit: You gain a +2 feat bonus to Stealth


and hit an enemy with it, the next attack that hits thatenemy before the end ofyour next turn deals 3 extradamage.

Powers: grappling strike (fighter MP2), hit and run(ranger PH), riposte strike (rogue PH), viper’s strike(warlord PH)

WHiP EXPERTPrerequisite: 7th level, proficiency with whipBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 6 or higher

utility powers for the whip crack power.

Whip Crack Feat Power

You snap your whip, warning your enemy not to move carelesslywhile near you.Encounter + MartialMinor Action PersonalRequirement You must be wielding a whip.Effect: Until the start of your next turn, you can make op

portunity attacks using your whip against enemies within2 squares of you.

WHIP NoviCEPrerequisite: 4th level, proficiency with whipBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 3 or higher

encounter attack powers for the whip snare power.


112

Whip Snare Feat Power

With a deftflick of the wrist,you coil your whip aroundyourfoe’s limb, tripping that creature or yanking it toward you.

Encounter + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponRequirement: You must be wielding a whip and use it to

attack with this power.Target: One creatureAttack: Dexterity vs. ReflexHit 3[W] + Dexterity modifier damage, and either you

knock the target prone or you pull it 1 square.Level 17: 4[Wj + Dexterity modifier damage.Level 27: 6[W] + Dexterity modifier damage.

WHiP SPECIALISTPrerequisite: 10th level, proficiency with whipBenefit: You swap one ofyour level 9 or higher

daily attack powers for the entangling whip power.

Entangling Whip Feat Power

Your whip is like an extension ofyou, coiling around your enemy so you can drag thatfoe wherever you like.

Daily + Martial, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponRequirement You must be wielding a whip and use it to

attack with this power.Target One creatureAttack: Dexterity vs. ReflexHit 2[W] + Dexterity modifier damage

Level 25: 3[W] + Dexterity modifier damage.Effect: You grab the target and knock it prone. Until the

grab ends, the target takes a -5 penalty to attempts toescape the grab. In addition, until the grab ends, you canpull the target 1 square as a minor action, but you cannotattack with your whip.

WiLD TALENT MASTERBenefit: You gain three wild talent powers (see

page 81).

WiLDER REJUVENATIONPrerequisite: Wilder themeBenefit: When you score a critical hit, you and

each ally adjacent to you gain temporary hit pointsequal to your primary ability modifier.

YARAM1TE G1ANTSLAYER PRACTiCE

[ARENA FIGHTING]Prerequisite: Any martial classBenefit: You gain a +2 feat bonus to Acrobatics


and hit an enemy that is larger than you with it, youcan shift 1 square to a square adjacent to the enemyas a minor action until the end ofyour turn.

Powers: acrobatic assault (rogue MP2), dual strike(fighter MP), predator’s strike (ranger MP), wolfpack tactics (warlord PH)

PARAGON TIER FEATSFeats in this section are available to charactersof 11th level or higher who meet the feats’ otherprerequisites.

ARENA BATTLE RHYTHMPrerequisite: 11th level, Dex 13, fighter, Arena

Training class featureBenefit: Whenever you make a melee attack with

one ofyour arena weapons and deal no damage, thetarget ofyour attack takes damage equal to your Dexterity modifier.

BENEVOLENT TEMPLARPrerequisite: 11th level, templar theme, templar’s

fist powerBenefit: The ally who gains the bonus to attack

rolls provided by the effect ofyour tempiar’sfist alsogains that bonus to damage rolls until the end ofhisor her next turn.

DEFiLER TROOPERPrerequisite: 11th levelBenefit: Whenever you take damage from an

ally’s arcane defiling, you gain temporary hit pointsequal to half that damage. You gain these hit pointsafter you take the damage from arcane defiling.

DEFILiNG ADEPTPrerequisite: 11th level, arcane defiling powerBenefit: When you use an arcane daily attack

power with arcane defiling, that attack can score a critical hit on a roll of 19 20. The critical range increasesto 18-20 at 21st level.

DEMANDiNG SPIRiTSPrerequisite: 11th level, primal guardian themeBenefit: Whenever an enemy marked by you

makes an attack that doesn’t include you as a target,you can puli that enemy 3 squares as an immediatereaction.

DEPENDABLE EXCISIONPrerequisite: 11th level, Veiled Alliance theme,

excisefrom sight powerBenefit: When you miss a target with your excise

from sight, you become invisible to that target until theend ofyour next turn.

DEVious OPPORTUNiSTPrerequisite: 11th level, dune trader theme, quick

formation powerBenefit: When you hit a target granting combat

advantage to you with your quickformation, the attackdeals 1[W] extra damage.

CHAPTER 4 Character Options~~

-~-. 113

PARAGON TIER FEATSArcane Defiling Feats~effling A’deptVictim’s Defilement.

Character Theme FeatsBenevolent TemplarDemanding SpiritsDependable Excision

Devious OpportunistDistracting Poison

Endurance in SolitudeEnhanced Psychic SurgeThrill of the Kill

Vanquishing NobleWarding Elemental

PrerequisitesArcane defilingArcane defiling

PrerequisitesTemplar, templar’sfistPrimal guardianVeiled Alliance,excise from sightDune trader, quick formationAthasian minstrel,poisoned strikeWasteland nomadWilder, psychic surgeGladiator

Noble adept, adept’s insightElemental priest,spirit.ofAthas

BenefitIncrease critical range on defiled powersDefiled powers deal extra damage

BenefitAlly gains bonus to damage rollsPull marked enemy when it attacks allyTarget of excisefrom sight treats you as invisible on miss

÷1 [W] damage with combat advantage on quick formationEnemies hit by poisoned strike grant combat advantage to you

Gain additional hp when using second wind while aloneExtend crit range of psychic surge on a hitBloody or kill enemy and expend second wind to makea saving throwAdept’s insight grants higher benefit to triggering rollAllies near spirit gain resist 5 to all damage

Battlemind FeatThundering Force

Fighter FeatArena Battle Rhythm

Other PrerequisitesWildfocus

Other PrerequisitesDex 13, Arena Training

BenefitPsionic force powers can also deal thunder damage

BenefitDex modifier damage when you deal no damage usingarena weapon

BenefitYou and allies gain +1 bonus to attacks against enemiesadjacent to dismissed spirit companion

BenefitForgo reg~~ng fill ~ght to deal damage to another creature

BenefitGain temporary hit points when affected by arcane defilingUse arcane defiling with psionic daily attack powers

Gain resist 2 to all damage while bloodied

DiSTRACTING POISONPrerequisite: 11th level, Athasian minstrel

theme, poisoned strike powerBenefit: When you hit a target with your poisoned

strike, that target grants combat advantage to you(save ends).

EL.EMENTAL SPiRiT ADEPTPrerequisite: 11th level, shaman, Elemental

Spirit class featureBenefit: When your spirit companion disappears

as a result of one ofyour shaman attack powers, youand your allies gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls againstany enemy that was adjacent to the spirit. The bonuslasts until the end ofyour next turn.

ENDURANCE IN SOLITUDEPrerequisite: 11th level, wasteland nomad themeBenefit: When you use your second wind while

no allies are adjacent to you, you regain additional hitpoints equal to 5 + your primary ability modifier.

ENHANCED PSYCHIC SURGEPrerequisite: 11th level, wilder theme, psychic

surge powerBenefit: When you hit with your psychic surge,

your attacks against the target before the end ofyournext turn can score a critical hit on a roll of 16-20.

Shaman Feat Other PrerequisitesElemental Spirit Adept Elemental Spirit

Warlock Feat Other PrerequisitesKing’s Wrath Sorcerer-king pact

Any Class Other PrerequisitesDefiler TrooperPsionic Defiling One or more psionic

daily attack powersSturdy Plating Thri-kreen


EPIC TIER FEATS

Arcane dejiiingArcane defiling,1 or more power points

KING’S WRATHPrerequisite: 11th level, warlock, sorcerer-king

pactBenefit: Whenever a nonminion creature cursed

by you drops to 0 hit points, you can use a free actionto forgo regaining your fell might and instead dealpsychic damage to one enemy within 5 squares of thecreature that dropped to 0 hit points. The damageequals your Charisma or Constitution modifier.

PsI0NIc DEF1LINGPrerequisite: 11th level, at least one psionic daily

attack powerBenefit: You gain the arcane defiling power and

can use it with psionic daily attack powers.

STURDY PLATINGPrerequisite: 11th level, thri-kreenBenefit: While you are bloodied, you gain resist 2

to all damage.

THRILL OF THE KILLPrerequisite: 11th level, gladiator themeBenefit: Whenever you bloody an enemy or

reduce an enemy to 0 hit points, you can use a freeaction to expend your second wind. Ifyou do, youdo not gain the benefit ofyour second wind but caninstead make a saving throw against an effect that asave can end.

THUNDER1NG FORCEPrerequisite: 11th level, battlemind, wildfocus

powerBenefit: When you use a psionic force power, you

can choose to have that power deal thunder damagein addition to force damage.

VANQUiSHING NOBLEPrerequisite: 11th level, noble adept theme,

adept’s insight powerBenefit: When you modify an ally’s triggering

attack roll, saving throw, or skill check with youradept’s insight, you add 2 to the triggering roll (insteadof 1) if adept’s insight is unaugmented, or add 1d6+1 tothe triggering roll (instead of 1d4+1) if adept’s insightis augmented.

Denied power prevents enemies trom healing dilU restores up to youRegain power points when arcane defiling harms allies

VIcTiM’s DEFiLEMENTPrerequisite: 11th level, arcane defiling powerBenefit: When you use an arcane daily attack

power with your arcane defiling, each target you hitwith the attack takes 4 extra damage. This damageincreases to 6 at 21st level.

WARDING ELEMENTALPrerequisite: 11th level, elemental priest theme,

spirit ofAthas powerBenefit: Your allies have resist 5 to all damage

while within 2 squares of the spirit conjured by yourspirit ofAthas.

Eric TIER FEATSFeats in this section are available to characters of 21stlevel or higher who meet the feats’ other prerequisites.

ARCANE LEECHPrerequisite: 21st level, arcane defiling powerBenefit: When you use an arcane daily attack

power with your arcane defiling, each target you hitwith the attack cannot regain hit points until the endofyour next turn. Ifyou hit at least one target withthe attack, you also regain hit points equal to halfyour healing surge value.

DEFILER’S REJUVENATiONPrerequisite: 21st level, arcane defiling power, 1 or

more power pointsBenefit: When your arcane defiling deals damage to

one or more ofyour allies, you regain 2 power points.

iNEXHAUSTiBLE RESOURCESPrerequisite: 21st level, mulBenefit: When you use your second wind, you

can forgo spending a healing surge and regaining hitpoints to instead gain temporary hit points equal toyour healing surge value.

KEEP THEM CLOSEPrerequisite: 21st level, gladiator themeBenefit: Any enemy marked by you is also slowed

until the mark ends.


115

Arcane LeechDefiler’s Rejuvenation

Arcane Defiling Feats Prerequisites Benefit

Them (Jose (jiadiatorCharacter Theme Feat Prerequisites Benefit

Inexhaustible Resources Mul

Enemies you mark are aiso siowea

Any Class Prerequisites Benefit —

Gain temporary hp instead ot healing with second wind

RiTUALSRituals in the DARK SUN setting exist in a limitedform. Due to the world’s cosmology, some ritualsdo not work or behave differently. Furthermore,Athasians use rituals that might seem worthless toritualists of other worlds. This section presents newrituals and discusses ways to adapt existing rituals.

ALTERING EXISTINGRITUALSSome rituals are unsuitable for the DARK SUN

setting. A few rituals make life in Athas’s harshenvironment too forgiving. Others allow travel orcommunication that is too easy. This section provides an overview of how rituals are harder, lessuseful, or unavailable on Athas.

Brew Potion and Enchant Magic Item: Wateris rare and valuable on Athas, so potions and elixirsare made from fruit. When a ritual caster creates apotion, an elixir, an oil, or a similar liquid, the ritualrequires edible fruit as a component. Many of thefruits used to make potions and elixirs are grown bynobles in vast orchards. These nobles employ scholars to cultivate the fruit and guards to keep theseestates safe.

Controlling Weather: Rituals that create precipitation or fog are unlikely to function exceptin certain locations, such as the Forest Ridge, theCrescent Forest, and mudflats and salt marshes.Rituals that create wind might cause dust storms incertain terrain.

Divination: Rituals that tap the knowledge ofextraplanar entities, such as gods, instead contactbeings from the Elemental Chaos or the Gray (page17). Such creatures are fickle and malicious, so divination is risky. Characters who attempt to performthese rituals should be aware of the risks beforeundertaking one.

Food and Water: Rituals that produce food andwater are unknown on Athas. Such rituals are inappropriate for a DARK SUN game. The people ofAthasassociate such rituals with divine or arcane magic,

DUNGEON MASTER APPROVALIn a DARK SUN campaign, the Dungeon Master shouldprovide oversight of the rituals to which charactershave access. A Dungeon Master can use this section todetermine whether to allow or how to alter rituals in theDARK SUN setting, rather than providing the players withan exhaustive list of prohibited or permitted rituals. Anyplayer whose character can perform rituals should consuit his or her Dungeon Master before taking or using aparticular ritual.


and they regard them as lost knowledge. Rediscovering a ritual such as Traveler’s Feast could be thesubject of an entire adventure, and its discoverycould radically alter the fortunes of a community or acity-state.

Nature: Any ritual that requires the Nature skillmight be more difficult in a defiled area. A character should be aware that the ritual might be harderbefore attempting to perform it. Rituals that affecta large area, such as Control Weather, or those thataffect a specific target, such as Animal Messenger,might be possible without added difficulty.

Planar Travel: The focus of a DARK SUN gameis Athas, so planar travel should be rare. Attemptsto reach the Lands Within the Wind typically failunless the caster is near a place that allows passageto that realm. The Gray is accessible, but it is considered to be a land where dead and fiendish creatureslive, so few go there. Passing through the Gray is theonly way to reach the Astral Sea, but such travel isrisky. Reaching the Elemental Chaos is still possible.In general, planar travel is associated with arcanemagic, so most people consider it evil. As with ritualsthat create food and water, these rituals should be thesubjects of adventures and should be acquired only atthe Dungeon Master’s discretion.

Religion: Characters can’t find rituals thatrequire Religion and relate to the gods, because suchrituals don’t exist in the DARK SUN setting. If a Dungeon Master wants to make such a ritual available,the ritual can be altered to rely upon the knowledgeand power of the sorcerer-kings, using the Arcanaskill instead of Religion. These rituals might ordinarily be available only to templars, though adventurerscould steal them.

Teleportation Circles: Teleportation is difficultbecause teleportation circles are rare and jealouslyguarded. The knowledge ofhow to create and useteleportation circles is mostly lost or forgotten. Sorcerer-kings control some circles, and a few such sitesmight exist in ancient citadels or ruined city-states.Rediscovering a teleportation ritual or a teleportationcircle could be the subject of an adventure, thoughsuch a discovery would make anyone in possession ofthe knowledge a target of the sorcerer-kings.

SCROLLSDespite the prevalence of illiteracy on Athas, scrollsand books still exist. However, the sorcerer-kingshave outlawed these objects in their territories, soinstead many ritualists use Athasian spelishards(page 129).

116

RITUAL DESCRIPTIONSThe following section details a few rituals thatAthasians have developed to survive in the harshenvironment of their world.

CREATE PRIMAL. ELEMENTThe primal spirits infuse the element beforeyou, making it

harmful to unnatural creatures.

Component Cost: Seeprimal element belowMarket Price: 100 gpKey Skill: Arcana or Nature(no check)

You infuse primal energy into a small container of earth,air, or blood. The component cost is based on the level ofthe primal element you create, which can be up to yourlevel. A primal element sheds light as a candle.

Primal Element Level 2Creatures not of this world suffer the sting of this primalessence.

Lvl 2Lvi 7Lvii 2

Aichemical ItemPower (Consumable): Standard Action. Make the fol

lowing attack against an aberrant, an elemental, a fey,an immortal, or an undead creature: Ranged 3/6; +5 vs.Reflex; 1 d8 damage, and the target doesn’t benefit fromresistances until the end of your next turn.Level 7: +1 0 vs. Reflex; 1 d8 damage.Level 12: +1 5 vs. Reflex; 2d8 damage.Level 17: +20 vs. Reflex; 2d8 damage.Level 22: +25 vs. Reflex; 3d8 damage.Level 27: +30 vs. Reflex; 3d8 damage.

CREATE TREE OF LIFEChanneling primalforces into a sapling, you produce amagn~ficent tree injust a short time.

Component Cost: 25,000 gpMarket Price: 200,000 gpKey Skill: Nature (no check)

You empower a sapling with the mighty primal forces thatremain on Athas, transforming it into a tree of life (see theDark Sun Creature Catalog).

LAND WARDYou channel spiritual energy into the area, protecting it

against defilers. -

You ward the land in a 30-square-by-30 square area, upto 30 squares high. Creatures that attempt to use a powerassociated with defiling (one that has defile, defiling, ordefiler in the name) within the warded area must succeedon an Arcana check against a DC equal to the result ofthe Nature check you make when performing this ritual. Acreature that fails this check spends the action necessaryto use the power but does not expend the power.

At the end of the ward’s duration, you can spend ahealing surge to extend the ward for an additional 24hours, even if you are not near the ward’s area. If theritual’s effect is sustained in this way without interruptionfor a year and a day, the effect becomes permanent.

REV1TAUZEYou infuse the land with primal energy, healing it.

Component Cost: 3,000 gpMarket Price: 8,000 gpKey Skill: Nature

You transform an area of defiled terrain (see Dark SunCreature Catalog, page 134) into normal terrain. The sizeof the area you transform is determined by the result ofyour Nature check.

Nature Check Result Area TransformedClose burst 1Close burst 2Close burst 5Close burst 10

SiLT WALKYou tread lightly across even thefinest silt without dangerofsinking.

Component Cost: 500 gpMarket Price: 2,600 gpKey Skill: Nature (no check)

You and up to six of your allies can move on silt as if itwere solid ground. Any creature affected by this ritual canend the effect on itself as a free action.

Level: iiCategory: WardingTime: 1 hourDuration: 24 hours

Level: 2Category: CreationTime: 10 minutesDuration: 24 hours

In-.~

DI—

Component Cost: 500 gp,pIus 2 healing surgesMarket Price: 2,600 gpKey Skill: Nature

25 gpl00gpSOOgp

Lvii 7Lvi 22Lvi 27

2,600 gp13,000 gp65,000 gp Level: 15

Category: ExplorationTime: 10 minutesDuration: Instantaneous

Level: 25Category: CreationTime: 1 hourDuration: Instantaneous

14 or lower15-2223-3031 or higher

Level: 12Category: ExplorationTime: 10 minutesDuration: 1 hour


3 ~LJ4~1J ~L~J

EQUiPMENTIn a world where survival always hangs in the balance, gear can be crucial. As you make your wayacross the Athasian wilds, your items help to keepthirst, starvation, sand, salt, and the blazing sun atbay. You need a good weapon and effective armor tofight offpredators. A hardy mount can shorten yourtrip or, ifyou’re desperate, serve as extra provisions.In a pinch, the beast might distract a monster, throwing it offyour trail—as long as the beast is meatierthan you are.

Whatever gear you carry, consider its quality andhow it will fare in Athas’s unforgiving environment.No one disputes that a metal breastplate is an enormous treasure and formidable protection. Ifyou areforced to spend days traversing the scorching wastes,however, heavy armor can be a deadly burden.

In the wastes, you could uncover objects lost bytravelers who failed the desert’s tests. More rarely, youmight come across remnants ofAthas’s mysteriouspast. These marvelous objects, perhaps meant for agentler time, can be traded for items more suited to theage in which you live. Or, the powers and materials ofthese relics might be ideal for your needs or quests.

A LACK OF METAI.Athas is nearly bereft of copper, iron, silver, andother metals. Perhaps the destruction of the Red Ageruined the world’s store of these ores in the same waythat it ravaged the world-girding forests. Maybe thesetypes of metal deposits were mined out centuries ago.Whatever the case, arms and armor crafted frommetal appear only as ancient, enchanted heirlooms.They are well beyond the means of all but wealthynobles or highly successful adventurers.

Most armor and weapons on Athas are made fromsubstitute materials, such as bone, wood, or stone.With regard to cost and characteristics, these itemsare treated the same as normal equipment describedin the Player’s Handbook and Adventurer’s Vault. Forexample, when you purchase a longsword on Athas,you still pay 15 gp, and it still has a +3 proficiencybonus, deals 1d8 damage, and has the versatile property. The blade, however, is formed from somethingother than steel. The longsword might be made ofsharpened, lacquered bone shards carefully fittedinto shape, or it might be a wooden blade edged with

CLOTH ARMORGithweave armorFeyweave armorMindweave armorEfreetweave armorStarweave armorMindpatterned armor

LEATHER ARMORDrowmesh armorFeyleather armorSnakeskin armorAnathema armorStarleather armorSwordwing armor

HIDE ARMOREarthhide armorDarkhide armorFeyhide armorStalkerhide armorElderhide armorVoidhide armor

CHAINMAIL ARMORFinemail armorBraidmail armor

ATHASIAN ANALOGKestrekel feather armorAarakocra feather armorSpidersilk armorGiantweave armorWyrmsilk armorDragoncloth armor

ATHASIAN ANALOGmix leather armorBaazrag leather armorJhakarskin armorRay leather armorDrake leather armorMantle armor

ATHASIAN ANALOGTembo hide armorKank hide armorKirre hide armorMekillot hide armorRoc hide armorNightmare hide armor

ATHASIAN ANALOGBonemail armorStonemail armor

CHAINMAIL ARMORForgemail armorCrysteel armorWeavemail armorSpiritmail armorPitmail armor

SCALE ARMORDrakescale armorWyvernscale armorWyrmscale armorStormscale armorNagascale armorElderscale armorTitanscale armor

PLATE ARMORRimefire plate armorLayered plate armorGith plate armorWarplate armorSpecter plate armorLegion plate armorGodplate armorTarrasque plate armor

ATHASIAN ANALOGObsidianmail armorKankmail armorCilops carapace armorTemplar mail armorKingmail armor

ATHASIAN ANALOGScorpion scale armorMekillot scale armorlnix shell armorKreen scale armorRampager scale armorElemental drake armorDragonscale armor

ATHASIAN ANALOGBaazrag bone armorMekillot shell armorGith shell armorChathrang shell armorBraxat shell armorGaj carapace armorDrakeplate armorBraxat lord shell armor

MASTERWORI( ARM®R PARALLELSThe following lists provide Athasian parallels to the masterwork armors presented in the Player’s Handbook and Adventurer’s Vault. These armors are mechanically identical to their traditional counterparts.


obsidian. Other than the possibility ofbreakage if theDungeon Master chooses to apply an optional rule(see the “Weapon Breakage” sidebar, page 122), thedifferent composite materials are matters ofworldflavor, not game mechanics.

Among the higher-level magic items, both metaland nonmetal items can be found. Magic metalarmor also exists. Such items are of masterwork quality, with a minimum enhancement bonus of +2.

ARMOROn Athas, an armorer might spend an entire careerwithout accumulating a sufficient quantity ofmetal tocreate a suit of armor. Even if a windfall of metal wereto be found, the techniques for forging such armorhave largely been lost to the ages. Were these challenges overcome and the armor constructed, Athas’sceaseless heat would leave the crafter with few interested buyers. For these reasons, Athas crafters turn tolight materials, such as bone, chitin, bark, and wood,when assembling protective gear.

Cloth Armor: The feathers of avian creatures onAthas, such as the carrion-eating kestrekel and thevulturelike aarakocra, are woven into cloth armorto give it masterwork quality. More advanced clotharmor is spun from crystal spider silk, giant hair, orsilk wyrm thread.

Leather Armor: The leather armors ofAthas aremade from a variety of desert creatures. The tougherand more dangerous creatures provide skins formasterwork armor. Domesticated animals such asthe mix, the baazrag, and the jhakar produce fineleathers. An armorer set on making more fantasticprotective gear, such as that from the skin of a cloudYray, a drake, or a floating mantle, is hard-pressed toassemble the necessary materials.

Hide Armor: Hide armors also are formed fromthe skins ofvarious desert creatures. Less dangerousbeasts such as the tembo and the kank provide materials for lower level masterwork armors. The most

OPTiONAL R4JLE: METALA1~MOR AND OVER1-{~ATiN~

Even if a character is fortunate enough to find a suit ofsteel plate armor, wearing it in the brutal heat of theAthasian deserts is foolhardy. At the Dungeon Master’sdiscretion, characters wearing heavy metal armor takea -5 penalty to Endurance checks resulting from heat orstifling heat or any other Endurance checks made to resistthe effects of heat.

advanced armors come from the hides of the Athasian roc and the nightmare beast.

Chainmail Armor: Crafting chainmail withoutmetal is challenging. Still, Athasian armorers havemanaged. They adorn stiff leather jacks with smalldisks or squares of horn, bone, or wood. The kankand the cilops have hard body parts ideal for thecreation of masterwork mail coats. The greatest suitsofmail armor are worn by the elite guards of thesorcerer-kings.

Scale Armor: Heavier Athasian masterworkarmor is made from horn, scales, and carapaces, suchas those found on mekillots or shed by thri-kreen.Advanced masterwork scale armor is created fromthe tough, thick hides of terrifying rampagers anddrakes. The greatest armor of this type is formedfrom scales shed by the Dragon as it rampagesthrough a region.

Plate Armor: Plate armor is made from giantinsect or crustacean chitin, or from the shells ofcreatures such as chathrangs or rare desert tortoises. Braxats and gaj provide the durable shellsused to make mid level masterwork plate armor.The rarest plate armor is derived from drakes andbraxat lords. Armorers drill tiny ventilation holes inchitin-plate armor to make it bearable in all but thehottest weather.

Shields: Like armor, shields rely on wood, chitin,shell, and similar materials for their construction.

I,I

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Scale armor

‘ armor

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Plate armor

4

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1. Dragon paw; 2. Trikal; 3. Carrikal; 4. Chatkcha; 5. Wrist razors; 6. Caliulaks; 7. Alhulak; 8. Gouge;

9. Dejada; 10. Tortoise Made; 11. Lotulis; 12. Gythka

WEAPONSThe weapons of metal-poor Athas feature bone, crystaI, obsidian, and wood. These materials change littleabout the weapon’s usefulness. Some Athasian weapons feature the following new properties.

Brutal: A brutal weapon’s minimum damage ishigher than that of a normal weapon. When rollingthe weapon’s damage, reroll any die that displays avalue equal to or lower than the brutal value givenfor the weapon. Reroll the die until the value shownexceeds the weapon’s brutal value, and then use thenew value.

For example, the gouge has the brutal 1 property.If a fighter wielding this weapon hits with menacin8onslaught (a 2[W] power), the player rolls 2d6 for theweapon damage, rerolling any die result of 1 until thedie shows 2 or higher.

Defensive: A defensive weapon grants you a +1bonus to AC while you wield it in one hand and wieldanother melee weapon in your other hand. Wieldingmore than one defensive weapon does not increase thisbonus. To gain this benefit, you need not attack with thedefensive weapon, but you must be proficient with it.

Stout: A weapon that has the stout property can betreated as a two-handed weapon.

ATHASIAN WEAPONSAthasian warriors can be proficient with a number ofweapons unique to the setting.

Aihulak: This weapon is an unusual flail. A shortlength of rope separates a four-bladed, hafted grappling hook from the handle.

Cahulaks: This double weapon features two fourbladed, hafted heads separated by a length of rope.The secondary end is light enough to be used as anoff-hand weapon. When one end of this weapon isheld by the haft, the rope is long enough to grant theother end reach. The entire weapon can be thrown.

Carrikal: This axe has two forward-facing bladescarved from the front of a large jawbone, commonlythat of a mekillot.

Chatkcha: This throwing wedge, often shapedfrom crystal or obsidian, is a thri-kreen invention. Itreturns to a proficient wielder’s hand after the rangedattack is resolved.

Dejada: Along, scooped basket fitted to a glove-like bracer, the dejada is used to hurl projectiles.Ammunition can be a fist-sized stone, but the weaponis also used to extend the range of explosive alchemical mixtures.

120CHAPTER 4 I Character Options

WeaponGauntlet axeNetPuchikSinging stickTortoise blad&WhipTwo-Handed

Prof. Damage Range Price Weight Group+2 1.d6 — 5 gp 1 lb. Unarmed+3 1d4 5/10 1 gp 1 lb. Light blade+3 1d4 — 1 gp 1 lb. Light blade

Prof. Damage Range Price Weight Group+3 1d8 20 gp 5 lb. Flail+2 1d8 15 gp 6 lb. Axe

Prof. Damage Range Price Weight Group+2 idlO 25 gp 12 lb. Axe, polearm

Prof. Damage Range Price Weight Group+2 1d8 — 25gp 3lb. Axe+2 1d6 2/5 20 gp 6 lb Flail+3 1d6 — 3 gp 1 lb. Light blade+3 1d6 — 40 gp 2 lb. Mace+2 1d6 — 10 gp 7 lb. Light blade+3 1d4 — 1 gp 2 lb. Flail

PropertiesOff-handOff-hand, light thrownOff-hand

PropertiesDefensive, off-handHeavy thrown, off-handOff-hand, high critDefensive, off-handOff-handOff-hand, reach

Weapon Prof. Damage Range Price Weight GroupCahulaks2 +2 1d8 3/6 25 gp 9 lb. Flail

(Off-hand end) +2 1d8 FlailDragon paw2 +2 1d8 — 40 gp 10 lb. Heavy blade

(Off-hand end) +2 1d6 Light bladeGouge +2 2d6 — 30 p 12 lb. Axe, spearGythka2 +2 1d8 5/10 25 gp 9 lb. Spear

(Off-hand end) +2 1d8 SpearLotulis2 +2 1db — 40 gp 9 lb. Heavy blade

Off-hand end) +2 1d8 Heavy blade1 This weapon can be used as a light shield. See its description.2 Double weapon.

RANGED WEAPONS

SIMPLE RANGED WEAPONSOne-Handed

PropertiesHeavy thrown, reachOff-handDefensive, stoutOff-handBrutal 1Defensive, heavy thrownOff-handDefensive, stoutOff-hand

Weapon Prof. Damage Range Price Weight Group+2 1d8 10/20 10 gp 2 lb. SlingDejada

MILITARY RANGED WEAPONSOne-Handed

Prof. Damage Range Price Weight GroupChatkcha +2 1d6 6/12 10 gp 1 lb. Light blade

Dragon Paw: Short blades attach to either endof this staff. In the center of this double weapon is aguard with a protruding blade perpendicular to thestaff. The light, middle blade (which serves as theoff-hand end) can be used for quick jabs, ideal for awarrior with a roguish bent.

Gauntlet Axe: This heavy bracer holds twolight crescent blades, turning the forearm into anaxe while keeping the hand free. The weapon canalso serve as a light shield. A gauntlet axe can beenchanted as either an arms slot item or as a magicweapon. When enchanted as a magic weapon, it doesnot occupy a character’s arms slot.

CHAPTER 4 I Character Options

Mn-FE WEAPONS

SIMPLE MELEE WEAPONSOne-HandedWeaponTalidWidow’s knifeWrist razors

MILITARY MELEE WEAPONS

z

c~.D

One-HandedWeaponAlhulakCarrikalTwo-HandedWeaponTrikal

SUPERIOR MELEE WEAPONSOne-Handed

PropertiesVersatileBrutal 2

PropertiesReach

Weapon

PropertiesLoad free

PropertiesLight thrown

121

Gouge: This spadelike weapon has a long haftwith a handle on the end. The head is a wide, double-edged blade with a stabbing point at the top. Somegouges are fitted with a strap or a harness, makingthe weapon easier to carry.

Gythka: Each end of this thri-kreen staff has asmall, crescent-shaped blade with a centered stabbingtine. The secondary end of this double weapon is lightenough to be used as an off-hand weapon. A gythkacan be thrown like ajavelin.

Lotulis: This short-staffed double weapon sportsoutward-pointing, barbed crescent blades on each end.

Net: A net is a web of rope or cord fitted withheavy weights.

Puchik: The grip of this weapon is perpendicularto its wide blade. A puchik is treated as a katar.

Singing Stick: The ends ofthis 234-foot-long, narrowrod are carved to be slightly wider than the middle. Itwhistles as it spins in the hands ofa proficient user.

Talid: Made from leather, chitin, and bone, thisspiked “gladiator’s gauntlet” augments unarmedattacks. A talid can be enchanted as either a handsslot item or as a magic weapon. When enchantedas a magic weapon, it does not occupy a character’shands slot.

OPTiONAL RULE:WEAPON BREAKAGE

Nonmetal weapons break more easily than metal ones.A broken item is at best an improvised weapon. Damaged magic weapons lose their enhancement, properties,and powers until repaired. The following options simulate the relative fragility of nonmetal weapons, makingcombat more unpredictable and exciting. Your DungeonMaster will tell you if one of the following optional rulesis being used.

Fumbling Breakage: When you roll a natural 1 on anattack roll using a nonmetal weapon, the item breaks.(DM: If you use this rule, you should also use the rules forfixed enhancement bonuses in Chapter 6, which mitigatesthe effect of this rule.)

Reckless Breakage: When you roll a natural 1 onan attack roll, your weapon has a chance to break. Youcan accept the result, automatically missing the attackas usual, but keeping your weapon intact. Alternatively,you can reroll. Regardless of the reroll result, a nonmetalweapon breaks once the attack is complete. A metalweapon, however, breaks only if you roll a natural 5 orlower on the reroll. This rule gives you a say in whethera weapon breaks. You can play it safe and accept theerrant attack, or you can attempt to avoid a miss byrisking your weapon.


Tortoise Blade: This bony or chitinous plate isaffixed with a short blade that points forward fromthe wielder’s hand. An enchanted tortoise blade canbe used as a magic shield or a magic weapon, but notboth. When enchanted as a magic weapon, it does notoccupy a character’s arms slot. A tortoise blade and aspiked shield are considered to be the same weapon.

Trikal: This polearm projects three blades symmetrically lengthwise from its haft. A trikal isequivalent to a halberd.

Whip: Although a whip is impractical as a weaponin most circumstances, some opponents are proneto underestimating the wielder of a whip, which canlead them to attack rashly or make other mistakes.

Widow’s Knife: Although this weapon originatedas a harvesting tool, it has become a favorite in noblecourts. The blade is a flat semicircle. The grip canbe modified to hold poison. A widow’s knife and adagger are similar weapons.

Wrist Razors: This weapon consists of threesharp blades that protrude from a sturdy bracer, freeing the wielder’s hand. A shield cannot be worn onthe same arm as wrist razors. Wrist razors do notneed to be drawn, nor do they need to be sheathedfor the wielder to use the hand the razors are on. Anenchanted wrist razor occupies the arms slot.

DOUBLE WEAPONSThe following rules apply to double weapons.

You must wield a double weapon in two hands.A Small character cannot wield a double weapon

unless the weapon has the small property.Wielding a double weapon is like wielding a weapon

in each hand. In the table, the first line of the doubleweapon’s entry describes the main end of the weapon,wielded in your main hand. The second line describes theweapon’s off-hand end, wielded in your off-hand. The twoends of a double weapon can have different proficiencybonuses, damage, groups, and properties. The weight andprice entries represent the total for the weapon, ratherthan only one side.

When adding an enchantment that requires a particular weapon type, at least one end of the weapon mustmatch the requirement. For example, a dragon paw couldgain the vorpal enchantment, even though only one endmeets the requirement of “heavy blade or axe.”

An enchanted double weapon gains all benefits of theenchantment on each end (even if one end would notnormally qualify for the enchantment). Nonetheless, thefrequency of use of any power possessed by the item doesnot increase; if you wield a double weapon that has a dailypower, you can still use that power only once per day.

r 122-4~w


1 sp2 cp 4

ADVENTURiNG GEAR FooD, DRiNK, AND SERViCESThe following items are widely available across the Denizens of the Tyr Region gain nourishment wherTyr Region. ever they can. Tough cactus meat, tubers, and grains

Desert Clothing: Loose clothing in light colors are dietary staples. Exotic beverages made from ferreflects heat and retains the body’s moisture. When mented nectar, animal by-products, and other, lesswearing desert clothing, you gain a +1 item bonus to savory substances are also available for more advenEndurance checks against environmental dangers. turous types.

Disguise: A disguise consists of a convincing Broy: Fermented kank nectar, this foul, intoxicatoutfit, makeup, and other accoutrements needed to ing beverage is mixed with herbs to mask its taste.pass oneself off as someone else. A disguise grants Interpreter: Local dialects and distinct languagesa +2 bonus to Bluff checks made to appear as some- can be insurmountable barriers to travelers. Theone else. interpreter offers services as a translator.

Distillation Kit: Desert travelers use distilla- Sorcerer-King’s Levy: Most city-states demandtion kits to extract water from wastes or toxic fluids. payment before allowing travelers to enter their gates.The device “cooks” moisture from the materials andcollects it in a reservoir. Using a distillation kit for 6 Item Pricehours produces 1 day’s worth ofwater. Broy, pitcher 2 cp

Dowsing Rod: This forked rod can be used to Interpreter (per day)ferret out hidden water reservoirs. It grants a +2 Sorcerer-king’s levybonus to Nature checks made to forage.

Filter Mask: Affixing this mask over the face TRANSPORTATIONallows the wearer to breath normally in adverse con- Inhospitable barrens cover large portions ofAthas.ditions, such as during a dust storm. Sturdy mounts and vehicles greatly ease a traveler’s

Fire Kit: A fire kit includes sticks and a small bow. journey. If the transportation is swift and comfortableIt is used to start a fire. as well, all the better, but such conveyance is rare.

Rope, Giant Hair: Woven from tough strands ofgiant hair, this rope is used for making strong cord. MOUNTSGiant hair rope has resist 10 to all damage.

Sun Balm: Travelers value sun balm to ward Athasians have domesticated a variety of mounts. Theagainst the sun’s pernicious effect. Sun balm grants a most common are presented below. More unusual+2 bonus to Endurance checks made to endure heat. steeds, such as giant ants, spiders, drakes, and

Survival Day: A survival day is an abstract rep- wyverns can be found, but not easily or cheaply.resentation of the preparations a traveler must maketo navigate the wastelands without risk of exposure. CRODLUEach survival day includes water, food, proper A crodlu is a large, flightless drake with a beak andapparel, and common unguents to ward off sunburn, weak, clawed forelimbs that can be used to manipulate small objects. It is a tough and aggressive hunter

ADVENTURING GEAR in the wild. When trained, it makes an excellent warmount. (For details, see the war crodlu in the Dark

Desert cl~hing 10 gp 3 lb. Sun Creature Catalog.)~sguise 10 gp 6 lb.Distillation kit 50 gp 20 IJ~ ERDLUDowsing rod 20 gp 5 lb. The erdlu is a smaller version of the crodlu. Its bodyFilter mask 1 gp — is covered in tough scales, and its folded forelimbsFire kit 1 gp — sprout useless wings. Hardy and fast, this drakelikeRope, giant hair 10 gp 10 lb. creature is a fine riding beast for a Small rider. It isSun balm 50 gp 1 lb. too skittish to be trained for war, however.Survival day 5 gp 8 lb.

MOUNTSMount Cost (gp) Speed per Hour Speed per Day Normal Load (lb.) Heavy Load (lb.) Push/Drag (lb.)Crodlu 225 4 miles 40 miles 190 380 950€rodlu, war 1,000 4 miles 40 miles 200 400 1,000]~ijJk~ 75 4 miles 40 miles 160 320 800lnix 2,000 3 miles 30 miles 220 440 1,100Kank 840 4 miles 40 miles 180 360 900Mekillot 4,000 3~A miles 35 miles 260 500 1,300

Item Price Weight

123

HP 28; Bloodied 14 Initiative +5AC 15, Fortitude 14, Reflex 14, Will 12 Perception +1Speed 8TRAITS

Medium SteedA Small character can use an erdlu as a mount.

Escape SprintWhen~ erdlu runs, it gains +4 to speed, instead of +2. Theerdlu and its rider don’t grantcombatadvantage when running.

STANDARD ACTIONS

® Beak + At-WillAttack: Melee 1 (one creature); +6 vs. ACHit:1d6 + 3 damage.

Str 16 (+3) Dex 16 (+3) Wis 13 (+1)Con 12 (+1) mt 2 (-4) Cha 8 (-1)Alignment Unaligned Languages —

INJXAn mix, also called a dune behemoth, is a long, low-slung reptile with bony plates on its back. It is strongand spirited. An mix rarely eats anything as large asa humanoid, but it does not shy away from a fight.(For details, see the mix adult in the Dark Sun CreatureCatalog.)

KANKKanks are docile insects that form hives. Each member of the group has a role: food producer, soldier, orthe brood queen. The kank soldier can be trained forriding and battle. (For details, see the kank soldier inthe Dark Sun Creature Catalog.)

MEKIu.oTThese massive creatures serve as draft animalsgiven their tremendous pulling strength. They areaggressive, however, and have been known to turnon handlers. (For details, see the mekillot in the DarkSun Creature Catalog.)

VEHICLESChariots and wagons are common vehicles in thecities and barrens ofAthas. Pulled by mekillots, Gargantuan or larger wagons serve as mobile palaces forthe wealthy. Vehicles grant protection from the blistering sun and carry necessary supplies hidden fromgreedy eyes. Certain specialized conveyances are theonly means to cross a given landscape, such as theSea of Silt.

SAND SKIFFThis light, wedge-shaped vehicle has three wheelsand a single sail. Propelled by the wind, sandskiffs make excellent speed in salt flats, stony barrens, sandy wastes, and dry savanna. They can alsomanage gentle hills. Sand skiffs do not navigate softsand, boulder fields, steep hills, or thick brush well.

HP 80 Space 2 squares by 3 squares Cost 360 gpAC 8, Fortitude 12, Reflex 8Speed 8Pilot

The pilot must sit by the sand skiff’s tiller, typically at the rear ofthe vehicle.

LoadSix Medium creatures and their gear.

Out of ControlAn out-of-control sand skiff moves forward at half speed. At theDungeon Master’s discretion, it can instead move in the samedirection as a strong wind at up to full speed.

SailsAt the Dungeon Master’s discretion, a sand skiff can take amodifier tofl~speed of-4 to +4 depending on the strength anddirection of the wind.

SpecialA sand skiff’requires firm, flat, open terrain. Reduce speedby half (or more) if the terrain is steep, soft, or cluttered with .‘

obstructions.Option: Creature-Drawn

- One Large or larger creature can pull a sand skiff when the windiscalm. ‘ ,

Siur SKIMMERThe typical silt skimmer features a broad hull andoutsized wheels. It rides 10 feet above the groundand is powered by two large sails. The vehicle canalso be driven slowly, using muscle-powered capstansto rotate its wheels. A silt skimmer is most efficientin flat, open terrain, but it can also make its waythrough silt or dust sinks up to 15 feet deep.

Silt SkimmerGargantuan vehicle

HP 400 Space~squares by 10 squaresAC 2, Fortitude 25, Reflex 2Speed 6 - : -

PilotThe pilot must stand at the skimmer’s helm, typically atop thequarterdeck.

CrewIn addition to the pilot, a silt skimmer requires a crew of three,all of whom use a standard action each round to help controlthe ship. Reduce the ship’s speed by 2 squares for each missingcrew member. At speed 0, the skimmer sails out of control.

LoadTwenty Medium creatures; thirty toi~s of~cargo.

Out of ControlAn out~of-controI silt skimmer~forward at half speed. Atthe Dunjeon Master’s discretion, itcan instead move in the -

same direction,as astrong wind at up to~fuIl speed. .

Decks“ A ~iItskimmer hastwodecks: an open upper deck and a lower

deckfor passengers and cargo. Illalso has a raised quarterdeck.for~the helm. -

SailsAt the liiungeon Masier’sdisci~etion,~siltsl~immercan take amodifier to its speed of -2 to +2 depending on the strength and,direction of the windy’ - -

Erdlu Level 1 SkirmisherMedium natural beast (mount, reptile) XP 100

Sand SkiffLarge vehicle

~iost 2,600 ~p


MAGIC iTEMSAdventurers encounter a diversity of magic items onAthas. Not surprisingly, given the unforgiving environment, magic items oriented toward survival aretreasured above all others.

ARMORThe natural materials used to create armor sometimes produce unexpected results when that armor isenchanted.

Scorpion Carapace Armor Level 4+

The spirit of the scorpion resides in this segmented armor.

Lvi 4 +1 840 gp Lvii 9 +4 105,000 gpLvi 9 +2 4,200 gp Lvi 24 +5 525,000 gpLv114 +3 21,000gp Lvi29 +6 2,625,000gpArmor: Scaie, plateEnhancement: ACProperty: Creatures that have tremorsense must have line of

sight to detect you.Power (Daily + Poison): immediate Interrupt. Trigger: An

enemy adjacent to you wiiiingiy moves. Effect: Make anattack: Meiee 1 (the triggering enemy); Your level + 4 vs.Reflex; Hit: 5 poison damage, and the target is immobilized until the end of your next turn.Level 14 or 19:10 poison damage.Level 24 or 29: 1 5 poison damage.

WEAPONSSecuring provisions is one of the top priorities forthose who are about to venture into the Athasianwastes. Sufficiently numerous and potent weapons toprotect those supplies are just as important.

Blood Obsidian Weapon Level 5+

Powerful defiling magic denudes the land and sometimes rendsit asunder. When the magma that boils upfrom these ventscools, itforms veins ofobsidian infused with the essence ofdeath.

Lvi 5 +1 1,000 gp Lvi 20 +4 125,000 gpLvii 0 +2 5,000 gp Lvi 25 +5 625,000 gpLv115 +3 25,000gp Lv130 +6 3,125,000gpWeapon: Axe, heavy blade, light blade, spearEnhancement: Attack rolls and damage rollsCritical: +1 d6 necrotic damage per plusProperty: When you use the arcane defiling power, you gain

a +2 item bonus to the rerolled attack roll.Power (Daily + Necrotic): Free Action. Trigger: You hit an

enemy with an attack using this weapon. Effect: That enemy takes necrotic damage equal to twice the weapon’senhancement bonus. in addition, you regain the use ofyour lowest-level arcane encounter attack power.

Carnage Weapon Level3+ I—

No amount of time spent cleaning and maintaining this weap won removes the old, ingrained bloodstains. They are evidence of ~its power and purpose.

Lvl3 +1 680gp 85,000gp DLvi 8 +2 3,400 gp 425,000 gpLvll3 +3 17,000gp 2,125,000gpWeapon: Axe, heavy blade, maceEnhancement: Attack rolls and damage rollsCritical: +1 dl 2 damage per plusProperty: When you roll the maximum result on at least

one of this weapon’s damage dice, the target takes extradamage equal to twice the weapon’s enhancement bonus.

Exsiccating Weapon evel 4+

Glowing with crimson light, this weapon leeches moisturefromthe air around you.

Lv14 +1Lvi9 +2Lvll4 +3Weapon: AnyEnhancement Attack rolls and damage rollsCritical: +1 d6 fire and necrotic damage per plusProperty: Creatures vulnerable to fire or necrotic damage

treat damage from this weapon as being fire and necrotic.Power (Daily + Fire, Necrotic): Free Action. Trigger: You

hit an enemy with this weapon. Effect That enemy takesextra fire and necrotic damage equal to twice the weapon’s enhancement bonus. It is also dazed until the end ofyour next turn.

Hidden Weapon Level 3+

This slender weapon cunningly adopts the characteristics ofyour garb when stowed.

Lv13 +1 680gpLvi 8 +2 3,400 gpLvll3 +3 17,000gpWeapon: Light blade, maceEnhancement: Attack rolls and damage rollsCritical: +1 d6 damage per plusProperty: You gain an item bonus to initiative checks equal

to the weapon’s enhancement bonus.Power (At-Will): Free Action (1/round). Effect You draw or

sheathe this weapon. If you sheathe this weapon, it vanishes, and only you can find and draw it.

SUiTABLE MAGiC ITEMSAs with rituals (page 116), certain magic items appropriate for other DUNGEONS & DRAGONS settings underminethe mood and tone of Athas. Magic items that alleviateharsh conditions by controlling the weather or creatingfood and water—such as an endless canteen or everlastingprovisions—are scarce on Athas. Divine items are rarelyfound, except perhaps in truly ancient sites. Items relatedto creatures that are foreign to Athas, such as aquatichumanoids, do not exist, Items composed of metal whollyor in part are infrequent or nonexistent. Consult with yourDungeon Master to determine if any particular item hasa level and cost different from normal, or is unavailable.

CHAPTER 4 Character Options125 1:

Lvll8 +4Lvi 23 +5Lv128 +6

840gp4,200 gp

21,000 gp

Lvli9 +4 i05,000gpLv124 +5 525,000gpLvl29 +6 2,625,000gp

Lv118 +4Lvi 23 +5Lv128 +6

85,000 gp425,000 gp

2,1 25,000 gp

ORBSDefilers use orbs to enhance the effect of their debilitating magic.

Orb of Darkest Defiling Level 8+

a

Jolting Guard Weapon Level 8

You deflect the enemy’s attack with a deft parry soforceful thatit numbs thefoe.

Lvi 8 +2 3,400 gpLv113 +3 17,000gpLv118 +4 85,000gpWeapon: Any meleeEnhancement: Attack rolls and damage rollsCritical: +1 d8 damage per plusPower (Encounter): Opportunity Action. Trigger: An enemy

misses you with a melee attack. Effect: The triggeringenemy is weakened until the end of its next turn.

Sandstorm Weapon Level 8

The dust trailin8 from this weapon explodes in a scourin8 stormwhen you land a telling blow on an enemy.

Lvl8 +2 3,400gpLv113 +3 l7,000gpLvll8 +4 85,000gpWeapon: AnyEnhancement: Attack rolls and damage rollsCritical: The target is blinded and takes ongoing damage

equal to twice the weapon’s enhancement bonus (saveends both).

Property: Whenever you reduce an enemy to 0 hit pointsusing this weapon, you gain concealment until the end ofyour next turn.

Power (Daily Zone): Free Action. Trigger: You hit an enemy with this weapon. Effect: The attack creates a zonein a close burst 2 centered on that enemy. All squareswithin the zone are heavily obscured to your enemiesuntil the end of the encounter or until you dismiss thezone as a free action.

126 ~CHAPTER 4 Character Options

Whenyou draw on.l~fe energy to power your magic,fiery veinsjust beneath the surface of this translucent sphere glow andpulse.

Lv18 +2Lv113 +3Lv118 +4Implement (Orb)Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rollsCritical: +1 d6 damage per plus, +1 d8 damage per plus

when you use a power with arcane defilingProperty: Whenever at least one ally takes necrotic damage

from your use of arcane defiling, you gain temporary hitpoints equal to twice the orb’s enhancement bonus.

Power (Encounter + Necrotic): Free Action. Trigger: Youuse arcane defiling. Effect: One enemy within 20 squaresof you takes necrotic damage equal to half your healingsurge value.

RODSWarlocks forge pacts with all manner of supernatural entities. The powers nearest at hand are Athas’ssorcerer-kings. They are no less foul than more otherworldly forces.

Rod of Office Level 2+

A badge ofoffice and implement. ofpower, this rod is granted totemplars by their sorcerer-kings.

Lv12 +1 520gpLvi 7 +2 2,600 gpLvll2 +3 l3,000gpImplement (Rod)Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rollsCritical: +1 d8 damage per plusPower (Encounter): Minor Action. You regain the use of

your fell might.

Rod of Scathing Scorn Level 4+

Clutching this blackened bone scepter, you channel l!fe drainingpower at your enemy.

Lv14 +1Lv19 +2Lv114 +3Implement (Rod)Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rollsCritical: +1 d8 damage per plusProperty: When you spend your fell might on an arcane

attack power while using this rod, you gain temporary hitpoints equal to twice the rod’s enhancement bonus.

Power (li~ily + Necrotic): Free Action. Trigger: You hitan enemy with an arcane attack power using this rod.Effect: You spend your fell might to deal ongoing necroticdamage to that enemy equal to twice the rod’s enhancement bonus (save ends).

3,400 gpl7,000gp85,000 gp

V ~ —~

LvI23 +5 425,000gpLvl 28 +6 2,1 25,000 gp

Lv123 +5 425,000gpLv128 +6 2,125,000gp Lv117 +4

Lvl 22 +5Lv127 +6

65,000 gp325,000 gp

1,625,000 gp

Lv123 +5 42S,000gpLvi 28 +6 2,1 25,000 gp

84Ogp4,200 gp

21,000 gp

Lv119 +4 lO5,000gpLv124 +5 525,000gpLv129 +6 2,625,000gp

STAFFSWhether a serviceable walking stick or a resplendent symbol of arcane power, a staff protects as itenhances.

Staff of New Horizons Level 9+

This weathered wooden staff bears many scars, testimony to itsheavy useinfar flung lands.

Lvi 9 +2 4,200 gpLv114 +3 21,000gpLv119 +4 105,000gpImplement (Staff)Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rollsCritical: +1 d6 damage per plus, and you teleport the target

1 square per plusProperty: When traveling overland, you and each ally within

5 squares of you gain an item bonus to speed equal to thestaff’s enhancement bonus. This property does not affectspeed in combat.

Power (Daily + Teleportation): Immediate Reaction.Tri8ger: You take damage from an attack. Effect: You andeach ally adjacent to you teleport a number of squaresequal to the staff’s enhancement bonus.

TOTEMSAthas’s primal spirits have suffered mightily from thewidespread ruination of their world. They are mercurial and quick to anger. Totems dedicated to themtend toward the fiercer aspects ofnature.

Sunfury Totem Level 5+

Constantly warm to the touch, the bleached bone and crystal ofthis totem depicts the glaring sun.

Lvi 5 +1 1,000 gpLvii 0 +2 5,000 gpLv115 +3 25,000gpImplement (Totem)Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rollsCritical: +1 d6 radiant and fire damage per plusProperty: When you use a primal attack power that deals

radiant or fire damage through this totem, you gainan item bonus to damage rolls equal to the totem’senhancement bonus.

Power (Daily + Fire, Radiant): Free Action. Trigger: Youhit an enemy with a primal daily attack power using thistotem. Effect: That enemy is blinded and takes ongoingfire and radiant damage equal to twice the totem’s enhancement bonus (save ends both).

Lv120 +4 l25,000gpLvl25 +5 625,000gpLvl3O +6 3,125,000gp

Totem of Ashen Fury Level 7+

After you use this totem,your hand becomes stained with soot, u~the remnants ofa land ruined by defiling magi~.

Lvi 7 +2 2,600 gp Lvi 22 +5 325,000 gpLv112 +3 i3,000gp Lv127 +6 1,625,000gp DLv117 +4 65,000gpImplement (Totem)Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rollsCritical: +1 d6 damage per plusPower (Daily + Fire, Zone): Free Action. Trigger: You hit

an enemy with a primal attack power using this totem.Effect: The attack creates a zone in a close burst 1 centered on a square occupied by that enemy. The zone lastsuntil the end of your next turn. The squares within thezone are heavily obscured, and any creature that starts itsturn withinthe zone takes fire damage equal to 5 + thetotemrs enhancement bonus.

Totem of the Flensing Sands Level 10+

When you place this burnished sandstonefetish to your ear, youcan hear the sandstorm’s distant howl.

Lvl 10 +2 5,000 gpLvllS +3 25,000gpLv120 +4 125,000gpImplement (Totem)Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rollsCritical: +1 d6 damage per plus, and you slide the target 1

square per plusPower (Daily + Teleportation, Zone): Standard Action.

Effect: You create a zone in a close burst 5 centered ona square occupied by an ally within 10 squares of you.The zone lasts until the end of your next turn. You teleport the ally 5 squares. Each creature that starts its turnwithin the zone takes 5 damage and is slowed until theend of that turn.

Totem of Unleashed Flames Level 4+

The edges of this bone totem are charred, hinting at the dangerinherent in the centrally embedded redjasper.

Lvli9 +4 105,000gpLv124 +5 525,000gpLvi 29 +6 2,625,000 gp

Lv14 +1 840gpLvl9 +2 4,200gpLv114 +3 21,000gpImplement (Totem)Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rollsCritical: Ongoing 5 fire damage (save ends)

Level 14 or 19: Ongoing 10 fire damage (save ends)Level 24 or 29: Ongoing 1 5 fire damage (save ends)

Property: When you use a primal attack power throughthis totem to deal ongoing fire damage to an enemy, theenemy takes a penalty to saving throws made to end theongoing damage equal to the totem’s enhancement bonus.

Lv124 +5 525,000gpLvi 29 +6 2,625,000 gp

Lv125 +5 625,000gpLvl3O +6 3,l25,000gp


FEET SLOT iTEMSWhether you are navigating Athas’s hazardousterrain or staying one step ahead of its fearsome predators, magic footgear can be a boon.

Silt Sandals Level 5

Dust and stainsfall awayfrom the surface and the tread ofthese simple clogs.

Item Slot: Feet 1,000 gpProperty: You ignore diffiéult terrain resulting from dirt,

sand, or silt. You leave no tracks in such terrain. If you startyour turn standing on a solid surface, you can move acrossa nonsolid horizontal surface (such as silt or water) as if itwere solid ground. If you are on a nonsolid surface at theend of your turn, you sink.

Power (Daily): Minor Action. You can move across nonsolid horizontal surfaces (such as silt or water) as if theywere normal terrain until the end of the encounter.

Silt Striders Level 1 2

Smooth soled and ventedfor comfort, thesefine shoes are wovenfrom glassyfibers.

Item Slot: Feet 13,000 gpProperty: You gain a 1 item bonus to speed. You ignore

difficult terrain resulting from dirt, sand, or silt. You leaveno tracks in such terrain. In addition, you can move acrossand stand on nonsolid horizontal surfaces (such as silt orwater) as if they were solid ground.

HEAD SlOT iTEMSIn the wilds ofAthas, head coverings that sharpenyour senses and protect from both sun and sword arevalued.

Alluring Veil Level 7

This gossamer veil conceals yourfeatures and augments yourglamour.

Item Slot: Head 2,600 gpPower (Encounter + Illusion): Minor Action. You assume

the appearance of a member of any humanoid race ofthe same size category as you. Your clothing and equipment alter appearance as you desire. The illusion doesn’talter sound or texture, so a creature listening to you ortouching you might detect the illusion.

Power (Daily): Free Action. Triggen You make an attackroll using an encounter or daily attack power that hasthe charm or illusion keyword and miss. Effect Reroll theattack roll and use either result.

Scorpion Mandible Helm Level 16

Fashioned using the mouth parts of a giant scorpion, this tremor sensitive helm expands your awareness.

Item Slot: Head 45,000 gpProperty: You perceive creatures and objects adjacent

to you that are in contact with the ground or the samesubstance (such as silt or a web) as if you had line of sight,without needing to make a Perception check.

Power (Daily): Minor Action. L~Jntil the end of your nextturn, you gain the benefit of this helm’s property for creatures and objects within 10 squares.

NECK SLOT iTEMSNearly all the amulets offered in the city-states’ markets are baubles promising greater protection thanthey deliver. An amulet that has potent mysticalpower is difficult to find, but well worth the effort.

Amulet of Psychic Interference Level 5

A shrunken head carvedfrom bone hangsfrom a rough twine.It animates and cackles madly when you call on its power.

Lvl 5 +1 1,000 gp Lvl 20 +4 125,000 gpLvl 10 +2 5,000 gp Lvl 25 +5 625,000 gpLvll5 +3 25,000gp Lvl3O +6 3,125,000gpItem Slot: NeckEnhancement: Fortitude, Reflex, and WillProperty: You make saving throws to end charm, fear, or

psychic effects at the start of your turn. If you fail any ofthese saving throws, you do not make a saving throw toend that effect at the end of your turn.

Power (Daily + Psychic): Immediate Reaction. TriggenAn enemy you can see hits or misses you using a powerthat has the charm, fear, or psychic keyword. Effect Thetriggering enemy takes 10 psychic damage.Level 10 or 15: 15 psychic damage.Level 25 or 30: 20 psychic damage.


RINGSAthasian rings are formed ofbone, shell, and otheranimal parts. Metal bands signify wealth and mightharbor great power.

Ring of Life Level 26

A band ofwarm, green wood, this bark covered ring infuses youwith vitality.

Item Slot: Ring 1,1 25,000 gpProperty: You do not need to eat or drink. In addition, you

gain a +5 item bonus to saving throws against necroticeffects.

Power (Daily): Free Action. Trigger: You take necroticdamage. Effect You reducethe necrotic damage to 0.

Ring of the Crimson Sun Level 14

This obsidian bauble draws on the sun’s heat, remaining cornfortably warm day and night.It’reinforces you in theface offlame and retaliates in kind:

Item Slot: Ring 21,000 gpProperty: When you take fire damage from an attack, you

gain temporary hit points equal to half the damage dealtby the attack. -

Power (Daily + Fire): Immediate Interrupt. Trigger: You arehit by a fire power. Effect Wntil the end of your next turn,any creature that enters a square within 3 squares of youor starts its turn there takes 10 fire damage.

If you have reached at least one milestone today, thatcreature also takes ongoing 5 fire damage (save ends).

WONDROUS iTEMSWhether ancient or recently devised, marvelousitems are as common on Athas as on other worlds.

Athasian Spelishard Level 1

This shard ofobsidian or crystal can’beiinbued with magicalknowledge.

Wondrous Item 360 gpProperty: You can store wizard daily and utility spells,

rituals, and ritual effects that mimic scrolls in this shard.Each item is stored as mental information rather thanwritten words. A spellshard is equivalent to a spellbook ora ritual book for the purpose of holding such information.The cost of storing rituals and scrolls is unchanged, andusing the stored information otherwise functions normally.

Property: An Athasian spellshard can be enchanted as ifit were a magic tome (for more about tomes, see ArcanePower, page 151).

Folding Sand Skiff Level 15

Whittledfrom hard wood, this miniature sand skiff transformson command. In itsfull-sizedforrn, the skiff can sail on anydesert terrain.

Wondrous Item 25,000 gpPower (b~ily): Stand~1 Action. If enough space is avail

able, the miniature skiff unfurls into a full-sized sand skiff(page 1 24).

Power (At-Will): Standard Action. If empty of gear and occupants, the skiff reverts to its miniature shape.

Solitaire (Quartz Lens)This clouded crystal supplements ybur powers with the energy ofAthas’s sun.

Wondrous Item 1,000 gpPower (Encounter + Varies)~ Free Action. Trigger: You

score a critical hit on your turn. Effect: The triggeringattack deals radiant damage or fire damage in addition toits normal damage types.

Special: You cannot use more than one solitaire in anencounter.

CONSUMABIESInstead ofbrewing potions, Athasian ritualistsenchant edible fruits with potion, elixir, or oil effects.For the process to take hold, the fruit must containample fluids. Once the fruit is enhanced, it lastsindefinitely until used. Taking a bite of the fruit aminor action, as is drinking a potion—activates thestored magic.

Agony Beetle Level 9

These insidious beetles latch onto a crea~ture’s spine and causeexcruciating pain.

Other Consumable 160 gp -

Power (Consumable): Standard ‘Action. Make an attack:Melee touch (one creature); Dexterity -1 3 vs. Reflex; HitThe target is immobilized, grants combat advantage, andtakes a -2 penalty to attack roIls~(save ends all).

Dune Runner’s Fruit Level 11

Thisfruit has grittyflesh and rough skin. Its thickjuice is applied to thefeet.or shoes to speed travcl.

Elixir 350gpPower (Consumable): Minor Action. Until you take an

extended rest, you ignore difficult terrain resulting fromdirt, sand, or silt, and you leaveino tracks in such terrain.If you start your turn standing on a solid surface, you canmove across a nonsolid horizont~l surface (such as silt orwater) as if it were solid ground. If you are on a nonsolidsurface at the end of your turn, ypu sink.

Special: Consuming this elixir counts as a use of a magicitem daily power.

Fruit of Life Level 25

Vibrant green and veined in cr1mson,thisfist-sizedfruit subtlyvibrates with barely contained lifefoi~ce..

Other Consumable 25,000 gpPower (Consumable + Healing): Minor Action. You spend

a healing surge and regain 15.additiônal hit points. Untilyou take an extended rest,’ yougain’resist 15 necroticand do not need to eat or drink


Level 5 l—~z

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CHAPTER 5

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“Between the Ringing Mountains and the Sea ofSilt, thetravelerfinds hermits, thri kreen packs, nomad tribes,isolated villages, and the Seven Cities known to remain onAthas. One meets people ofall races and classes: humannobles and slaves, elf raiders, halfgiant mercenaries, andeven the rare halfling wanderer. This region is the greatmixing bowl ofAthas, in which the d!fferent cultures ofmany peoples areforced to mingle or clash.”

—The Wanderer’s Journal

What remains ofAthasian civilization is cupped inthe broad plains and deserts between the mightyRinging Mountains and the impassable Sea of Silt.This wide area is known as the Tyr Region after itsoldest city, although these days, Tyr is no more powerful or influential than its neighbors. (In fact, Tyr,mired in turmoil, is desperately vulnerable at themoment.) Beyond the borderlands of this region liedesolate wastes; some people believe that the TyrRegion is the last habitable area on Athas, and that allthe people remaining in the world live in these lands.

The sorcerer-kings have ruled the Tyr Region forlonger than anyone can remember. For generations,no one contested their power and lived to tell aboutit, but everything changed recently when a spearimpaled Kalak, the sorcerer-king ofTyr. Kalak’s deathand Tyr’s liberation marked the beginning of a newera, shaking thrones that had not been threatened incountless years. Rumors ofTyr’s newfound freedomspread like wildfire across the Seven Cities, givingpause to sorcerer-kings who hoped that thoughts ofrebellion would not spread to their own domains.

First, this chapter presents a desert primer. Notall deserts consist solely of sand, and this sectionprovides an introduction to the landforms and conditions that prevail over much of the world.

Next, the chapter describes prominent locationson Athas. These include the Seven Cities, the greatcity-states of the Tyr Region: Tyr, Balic, Draj, Gulg,Nibenay, Raam, and Urik. Tyr is described at greaterlength, since its current state of affairs provides manyopportunities for heroes looking for a way to make adifference in the world.

In addition, this section discusses major regions of ~Athas in the vicinity ofTyr: the Estuary of the ForkedTongue, the Forest Ridge, the Ivory Triangle, the Ring- ~ing Mountains, the Road of Kings, the Sea of Silt, theSouthern Wastes, the Tablelands, and the WesternHinterlands.

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CHAPTER 5 Atlas of Athas

130

A DESERT PRiMER“The Tablelands are arid, hot, and barren. Even on windless days, the sky isfilled with a yellow green haze offloating silt. The crimson sun blazes with merciless intensity, and the breezefrels like the hot breath of the Dragonitself”


Athas is a desert world, but that doesn’t mean theplanet is uniformly covered with sand or barrenwastes. Deserts come in many forms. Some are habitable, some are brutal killing grounds, and some arewastelands that seem empty but are full ofhiddenlife. Knowing the types of deserts one might encounter while traveling across Athas is a vital survivalskill one that might mean the difference between asuccessful journey and a hard death in the wilds.

BOULDER FiELDSBoulder fields consist ofbroken, jagged rock. Someare old lava flows long since cooled, and others arevalleys choked with rockslides or slopes of scree.They usually lie near mountains, and most are nolarger than a few miles across. Boulder fields are formidable obstacles since they lack water, vegetation,and shade, and if travelers do not have sturdy boots orsandals, the sharp rocks can cut their feet to ribbons.Deep gulches and crevices crisscross boulder fields,offering plenty ofhiding places.

DUST SINKSWindblown dust, ash, and silt accumulate in depressions to form dust sinks or silt basins. The largestknown example is the Sea of Silt, but smaller sinksexist in almost any low-lying terrain. Even a lightwind stirs the dust into billowing clouds. On calmdays, a dust sink appears to be a smooth plain of palegray or dun powder. Appearances are deceptive. Thedust is too light to support a traveler’s weight, but it isthick enough to suffocate anyone who falls in. Sometimes, the ground beneath the powder is uneven,concealing a dangerous drop. One misstep, and atraveler can disappear beneath the dust.

Large bodies of silt often extend like the riversof old into more solid terrain, following narrowchannels called estuaries. Many estuaries of silt areshallow enough for human-sized travelers to wadewith care. Very tall creatures such as giants can navigate correspondingly deeper silt; a giant can wadethrough silt 10 feet deep without difficulty.

Many large sinks and estuaries are sprinkled withislands ofhigh ground, isolated from the “mainland”by stretches of dust ofvarying depths. Some of theseislands are rocky protrusions just large enough to


accommodate a giant or two, and others can supportan entire village. Miles of silt have sheltered manyislands over the years from the touch of defilingmagic, and those islands remain surprisingly verdan

MOUNTAINSLow ranges such as the Mekillot Mountains, theStormclaw Mountains, and the Black Spine Mountains dot the Tyr Region. They are daunting obstacles.Their bare, rocky peaks—sometimes as tall as 6,000feet—offer little water or shelter to make the climbworthwhile. After a daytime temperature ofwell over100 degrees, temperatures at night can plunge nearthe freezing point. Most of the exposed rock crumbleunder the twin hammers ofheat and cold, so greatslopes ofbroken rock and frequent rockslides makefor arduous travel.

Mountain vales, on the other hand, often arewatered and filled with heavy scrub, cacti, or sparseforest. Little of the land is suitable for cultivation,but savages and monsters such as goliaths, gith, andkirres make their homes in vales. Large networks ofcaverns lie under most of the low mountain ranges,home to all sorts of strange creatures that prefer tohide from the sun.

A truly awesome mountain range marks thewestern border of the Tyr Region the Ringing Mountains, whose highest peaks reach 20,000 feet ormore. Some of these peaks have thin but permanentsnowcaps.

MUDFLATSLittle open water remains on the surface ofAthas;most is buried underground. In a few places, waterseeps upward, saturating the land to create mudflats.Most common near or in dust sinks (especially theshallows of the Sea of Silt), mudflats hide beneath thechurning dust, revealed only when the winds clearan area and expose the soupy mess to the air. Uncovered mudflats usually dry out in short order, leavingbehind hard, cracked clay that might or might not besolid enough to support a traveler’s weight.

A few mudflats manage to survive, sometimesthrough cultivation and sometimes by happenstance.These areas are lush with vegetation, includingdesert grasses, thorny bushes, and small trees. Wheremudflats stand in silt basins, low islands of dense vegetation rise above the dust. These mudflats are rarelylarge; most measure only a few hundred feet across.Tangled underbrush and mucky ground make traveling through these areas difficult but not impossible.In general, mudflats offer little to travelers; there isn’tmuch standing water, and dangerous predators huntcreatures that subsist on the greenery.

132

ROCKY BADLANDSMost hilly regions on Athas are rocky badlands—highly eroded mazes of sharp-edged ridges, windingcanyons, and thorn-choked ravines. Daunting escarpments force travelers into meandering courses alongthe ravine floors, which often end in blind canyonsor loop back on themselves. Badlands can be barren,waterless wastes, but many are filled with thornybrush that can completely clog the ravine floors.

Rocky badlands are difficult to cross, no matterwhich way a traveler means to go. Sticking to a canyon’s floor is easy enough, but a canyon rarely leads inthe direction one desires, and the thick, prickly brushmakes for very hard going. Climbing up the walls tocrest a badland ridge usually involves a dangerousscramble of several hundred feet, and travel along thetop of a knife-edged ridge is equally challenging.

SAUr FLATSGreat flat plains encrusted with salt that is white,brown, or black, salt flats can extend for miles. Someare dotted with briny marshland, but most are barrenand lifeless. Any water is usually too brackish to drinkand might be poisonous. Salt flats offer no shelter, andthe temperatures reach more brutal extremes thananywhere else on Athas. Sun sickness (page 199) cankill an unprotected traveler caught in a salt flat.

If the salt flats have one asset, it’s that no creatureslinger in them for long. A prepared traveler can crossa flat without risking an encounter with a wild beastor roving band.

SALT MARSHESSalt marshes and shallow, ephemeral lakes can formin and near salt flats, dust sinks, and sandy wastes.Most are only a mile or two across, but a few—suchas the Salt Meres or the Maze of Draj—extend foras much as hundreds of miles. The water, too saltyor alkaline to sustain life, is undrinkable. Many saltmarshes dry out completely in the months ofHighSun, and some remain dry year-round if the followingLowsun comes and goes without rain.

A salt marsh contains low grasses, reeds, or brush.Ankle-deep channels ofbriny water encrusted withcaked salt wind through the marsh, sometimes opening out into large, shallow lakes. Here and there,tough stands of scrub or the occasional tree standabove the grasses. Few creatures can digest the toughvegetation, but the marshes buzz with tiny insectsthat can drive a traveler half mad.

SANDY WASTESVast stretches ofyellow sand, sandy wastes are themost identifiable deserts ofAthas. Some wastes areplains where the air is still and no winds disturb thetrackless land. In other wastes, the landscape takes

on a rumpled appearance as winds pile up sand toform great dunes. The topography of such wasteschanges endlessly; old dunes slowly erode under thewind, and new ones form when deadly sandstormswhip up with little warning. Travelers caught in astorm hear the wind howl in a deafening screamwhile stinging sand bites their skin. The worst stormscan scour flesh from bones.

In the flat areas ofAthas, sandy wastes do nothinder travel. Oases, wells, and stands of tough scrubcan sustain desert-dwelling creatures and peopleindefinitely. Flat sand is easy for travelers, although alack of landmarks increases the risk ofbecoming lost.

In areas that have dunes, travel is more challenging. Mekillot dunes, named for their passingresemblance to the huge drakes, can be hundreds offeet tall, but most dunes rise no higher than a hundred feet. In wastes where the winds shift or collide,star dunes might form. The ridges of these moundsextend away from the main mass, forming arms thatspread out like tentacles in all directions.

SCRUB PLAINSScrub plains are savanna, prairie, or chaparral withjust enough water to support extensive vegetation.Tough, dry grass punctuated by creosote bushes andtumbleweed dominates the ground. One can evenfind a few small trees scattered across the landscape.By Athasian standards, scrub plains are almost lush,supporting a high concentration ofwildlife.

Excessive grazing and the use ofdefiling magichave reduced some scrub plains in the Tyr Region toruin. Only a few such areas survive in the wild landsbetween the city-states, protected by primal guardians who use ancient magic to destroy intruders andsafeguard their homes. However, beyond the Ringing Mountains stretch vast scrub plains such as theCrimson Savanna.

STONY BARRENSStony barrens dominate the Tablelands. Most barrensare bedrock shelves exposed by windstorms. Theseweathered plains are covered with rocks that rangein size from pebbles and gritty dust to huge piles ofstanding boulders. In places, the bare rock gives wayto hard-packed red earth, and yellow sand collectsin crevices, forming dunes or drifts. Huge mesas andpointed buttes dot the plains, a testimony to the erosive power of the elements.

Cacti proliferate in stony barrens. Hundreds ofspecies grow throughout, appearing in all shapesand sizes, from small, thorny buttons to toweringsaguaros. Some cacti are edible, making suitablefare for travelers low on supplies. Others are stealthypredators that can kill careless travelers; in the Athasian wilderness, one can never be certain who is thehunter and who is the hunted.

CHAPTER 5 Atlas of Athas133

TYR, THE FREE CiTY“Is it true? Kalak dead? Slavesfreed? Magic wild in thestreets? Doubtful, but we’ll know soon enough.”

— Shahin, wandering hermit

As far as most Athasians are concerned, Tyr hasalways existed. Certainly it has endured throughthe entire Desert Age, and even with the fall of itssorcerer-king, it seems likely to endure for centuriesto come. And throughout all the long years of its existence, it was a city-state enslaved.

That has all changed.In the courts of the other city-states, rumors of

King Kalak’s overthrow are only whispered, but inTyr, the repercussions howl through the streets. Manyscheme to succeed Kalak, and the templars and otherpower groups vying for control struggle to keep thecity-state from disintegrating into anarchy at thehands of people eager to enjoy their freedom. Noblesand merchants clamor for influence, and commonersand freed slaves openly celebrate, challenging civicauthority and social boundaries at every turn.

TYRIAN BACKGROUNDSThe sudden end of King Kalak’s oppressive reignhas left Tyr and its citizens in a state of confusionand chaos. Tyrian characters are surrounded by newopportunities—and new perils.

Associated Skills: Endurance, StreetwiseLanguage: ElvenEmbedded Spy: Tyr’s newfound freedom has

caused no shortage of consternation among the SevenCities. The other sorcerer-kings have dispatchedagents to gather intelligence about the liberated city-state and create conflict where possible. You areone such spy. Were you born in Tyr, or are you fromanother city-state? To whom do you report? How doyou view the rebellion?

Freed Slave: Following Kalak’s death, King Tithianoutlawed slavery in Tyr. You were one of thousands setfree. Do you think your liberty will last? Who ownedyou? How do you feel about your former master?

Noble of Conscience: You have enjoyed comfortand privilege throughout your life, but you knowthat your wealth was earned through the efforts ofpeople who didn’t have enough. You want to help theoppressed, but should you keep your title and becomea protector of the weak, or should you fight to erodethe power and influence ofyour noble peers?

Revolutionary: You worked to overthrow Kalakin the final months of his reign. Whether you spiedon his nobles, preached rebellion to slaves in thebrickyards, or carried messages for rebel leaders, youplayed a part in the king’s downfall. What will you donow that you have succeeded? What secrets did you

learn? Do you have contacts among the groups vyingfor power in the city-state?

TYR’S POWER STRUCTURETithian, the former high templar, is now recognizedas King ofTyr. However, his throne is far from secureKing Tithian holds his crown at the sufferance of theother templars and the heads ofpowerful groups whowield great influence but are not yet strong enough tooverthrow him.

THE POWER GROUPSIn Tyr, a number ofgroups fight for power in thewake of Kalak’s death. Fortunately for Tithian andthe other templars, no single group has managed toconsolidate its influence enough to challenge the

TYR AT A GLANCETyr is a flashpoint of intrigue and change on Athas. ItsGolden Tower and sealed Ziggurat are unique wondersthat awe most visitors.

Population: Roughly 15,000 within the city walls, andabout as many in the noble estates and villages of the TyrValley. Humans are the majority, constituting two-thirds ofthe population. Dwarves, elves, goliaths, and muls makeup most of the rest.

Water~ Seventeen public wells reach down below Tyto tap one of the deepest, oldest aquifers on Athas, fed byrunoff from the nearby Ringing Mountains. A Tyrian Guarddetachment protects each well. Tithian (under pressurefrom others) has declared that each citizen is entitled toone hand-carried container of water per day. Those whotry to get around this law risk being exiled. The city-statealso has many private wells, such as in the King’s Gardensand in the Templar District.

Supplies: A wide variety of basic supplies is availablein the Caravan and Merchant Districts, as well as in theElven Market in the Warrens. Most days, a ragtag bazaarsprings up near the Stadium of Tyr.

Defense: Most of Tyr’s army disbanded after Kalakfell, but the templars are currently rebuilding it as theTyrian Guard. An uneasy mix of soldiers who formerlyserved Kalak, noble house contingents, revolutionaryfighters, and freed gladiators and slaves, the Guard formsa standing army of about five thousand warriors ofvaryingquality. The marshal is a mul ex-mercenary named Zalcor.In addition to the Guard, many noble and merchanthouses keep large contingents of private soldiers on hand

Inns and Taverns: The Caravan District and the Merchant District have more than thirty inns and an equalnumber of taverns between them. The Warrens offersmore squalid spaces, including abandoned buildings thathost squatters.

134CHAPTER 5 Atlas of Atizas

new king’s rule. Members of these factions meetfrequently, sometimes in large gatherings, to makedecisions and forge treaties that affect the balance ofpower in the city-state. Factions that have great influence in Tyr include the following.

Deposers ofKalak: The rebels who challengedand defeated Kalak are highly regarded by mostcitizens. In addition to Tithian, the deposers includeRikus, a mul ex-gladiator who leads the Crimson Legion; Sadira, a half-elf ex-slave and a secretmember of the Veiled Alliance; Agis ofAsticles,a high-ranking noble of the Asticles house in Tyrand a practitioner of the Way; and Neeva, anotherex-gladiator.

The Freed: Former slaves make up a large portion ofTyr’s population. Although they are poor andlargely uneducated, their sheer numbers give themconsiderable power. Their leaders include Shivrin,a half-elf from the Warrens (rumored to have ties tothe Toothcutters, a criminal gang); and Non, a mulfrom the fields who is known as an eloquent speaker.During her time as a slave, Non was a favored gladiator in the stadium games.

Commoners: Many revolutionaries were commonfolk ofTyr. Those who have retained a good deal ofinfluence in the wake of their success include Rowan,a half-elf innkeeper from the Caravan District; andXalos, a mul stonecutter of the Artisan District. Xalos

secretly receives a stipend to spy for the city-state ofUrik, but no one in Tyr suspects anything. . . yet.

House Merchants: Merchant house representatives are no strangers to power and influence in Tyr,although now they must deal with competing factions rather than a single monarch. The dominantmerchants include Davith Vordon of House Vordon,whose major interests include Tyr’s iron mines andthe slave trade beyond the city state’s borders; andBelana Wavir of House Wavir, a house headquartered in Balic.

Templars: Tehosian, the Minister of Laws, isresponsible for setting up a new system ofjustice.Mashastra, the Minister of Defense, marshals thearmy and organizes the defense ofTyr according toTithian’s directives.

Nobles: Shoshana Beryl, matriarch of BerylManor, seeks to move the government toward asenate ofnobles. She believes that only the nobleshave the education and the means to administer thecity-state. Murter Dyan, who holds a partial interestin Tyr’s iron mines, secretly belongs to the True—agroup ofholdouts hoping for Kalak’s return.

KING TITH1ANWhile the factions ofTyr seethe and quarrel, KingTithian works steadily to establish his own authority independent of the power groups. He must move


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carefully, because any attempt to seize too muchcontrol too quickly could provoke a reaction from theother influential players in the city-state, and Tithiandoes not yet have the strength to hold his throne inthe face ofunified opposition. Every decree and decision made by the king is subject to the tacit approvalof the various factions—a situation the proud, ambitious Tithian deeply resents. His support is strongamong the former templars of Kalak; even so, manyof them resent his betrayal of their royal master, anda few wonder if they could replace him.

The former high templar is currently exploring Kalak’s sorcerous libraries and treasuries, searching outthe deposed king’s magical secrets. Some ofTyr’s leaders fear that Tithian intends to become a new tyrant ifonly he can find the power he needs to defy them.

EXPLORING TYRTyr hunkers within high walls in the middle of thefertile Tyr Valley, which lies in the foothills of theRinging Mountains. From miles away, a traveler canmake out the massive spires of the Golden Towerrising over the city-state’s walls. Not far from thetower, a brick step-pyramid soars above the walls:the Ziggurat of Kalak, multicolored and resplendentunder the desert sun. The city walls are parchedsandstone, smoothed by time and centuries of continual repair. Beyond Tyr loom the ramparts of theRinging Mountains, whose topmost peaks glintwith a dusting of snow during the months of SunDescending.

Most traffic enters the city-state through theeastern Caravan Gate. This structure consists oftwo marble valves, each 20 feet high and nearly aswide, which are banded and hinged in precious iron.Inside, the thoroughfare known as Caravan Wayleads through the Caravan District toward the heartof the city, where the Merchant District is nestled atthe base of the towering Ziggurat ofKalak. The spacious stone residences that make up the twin wards ofthe Noble District lie north and south of the CaravanDistrict, easily differentiated from the press of adobebuildings in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Commoners and freed slaves live cheek by jowl inthe Warrens, a medley ofunplanned structures thatsprawls away north of the Ziggurat. Criminal gangsroam the Warrens, preying on the weak. Temporaryshelters built by recently freed slaves have sprung upin the Artisan District on the ziggurat’s north side.Although shelter and access to water is less certain inthe Artisan District, fewer bodies turn up here eachmorning than in the Warrens. This district also nowdoubles as a training area for gladiators who chooseto fight in the Stadium ofTyr during the infrequentgames held there.

The stadium separates the Ziggurat ofKalak fromthe Golden Tower. Under the new regime, the sound

of spectators screaming for their favorites is heard onjust ten days of every month. The rest of the time, thestadium serves as an overflow market of disorganizedstalls, tents, and blankets where misfit traders offer amultitude of goods and services.

Tyr has always been two cities in one: the greatercity, which is composed of commoners, slaves (nowfreed), and nobles, and the smaller Golden City,which is dominated by the Golden Tower and isthe home of the resplendent King’s Gardens. Manycivic structures surround the tower, along with giantwarehouses that hold precious reserves ofgrain, ironingots, water, and weaponry. In addition, the GoldenCity houses upper-class functionaries and templars.

The Golden Tower, Tyr’s most majestic piece ofarchitecture, is constructed of rare golden graniteand contains dozens of chambers linked by winding passages. A separate observation spire standsnearby, a smaller version of the main tower; a soaring bridge connects the two structures. According torumor, defiling magic binds ancient elementals to theGolden Tower, creatures that remain vigilant againstpotential attackers. Since King Kalak fell, all attemptsat entering the tower have failed.

Finally, beneath the city lies Under-Tyr, catacombsthat represent the leavings ofmore than two thousand years ofurban construction on the same site.Buried streets, cracked courtyards, and crumblingruins abound in the darkness beneath Tyr. Secretcellars in surface buildings offer access into this dangerous realm of subterranean passages and forgottenneighborhoods.

THE CARAVAN DiSTRIcTThe Caravan District is the primary trade and visitor’s district in Tyr. Regular visitors and dune tradersenter the city-state through the massive CaravanGate. The area just inside the gate is a confusionofanimal pens, transports, crates of exotic goodspacked for travel, and traders screaming about theirloads. The gate is usually watched by a Tyrian Guard

TYR’S CODE F JUSTICEUnder King Kalak, “justice” was synonymous with thewhims of the powerful, and no one expected (or receivedfair treatment under the law. Today, the commoner-ledfactions in Tyr seek to address that problem. Bendingto pressure from commoners threatening to rebel, KingTithian has charged the templar Tehosian with creatinga system of law that presumes innocence unless a jury ofthree unbiased judges determines otherwise.

So far, however, Tehosian has relied on the judgmentsof templars, nobles, and Tyrian Guard patrols. Thosedeemed guilty of minor crimes are fined; those foundguilty of serious crimes are exiled from Tyr and sold intoslavery. Truly heinous criminals are executed in specialceremonies in the Stadium of Tyr.


136

detachment that questions newcomers and collects taxes from merchants (about 5 percent of thedeclared value of a wagon of trade goods). The Guardrecords the names of foreign visitors and their purpose in coming to the city.

Past the press of caravans and new arrivals nearthe gate, Caravan Way meanders west through theheart of the main trade district. By day, the road isdotted with clusters of pedestrians and street vendorshawking their wares. Permanent shops throng Caravan Way, selling myriad goods, including clothing,caravan supplies, feed for mounts, rations, spirits, collectibles, arms, and armor.

Vendors and sites in the Caravan District includethe following.

Devyn’s Desertwear: Items for sale includebroad-brimmed sun hats, sweat-wicking kanduras,sun goggles, fingerless gauntlets, horn-heeled boots,scarves, and more. Devyn, a forty-year-old femalehuman, is also a Veiled Alliance contact.

Grik’s Weaponry: This shop’s merchandiseincludes erdlu-claw daggers, obsidian-tipped javelins, bramble-tree clubs, and (available for viewingby appointment only) a very small selection of ironweapons. Grik, a male mul, sometimes fights in thestadium during festivals.

Golden mix: This inn and tavern has a commonroom serving meals, broy (fermented kank nectar),Tyrian brown ale, and Asticles wines. Lodging in theGolden mix includes eight typical rooms (2 sp pernight) and two luxury rooms (2 gp per night). Rowan,the male half-elfproprietor, is a member of a consortium of innkeepers that is one of the groups vying forpower in Tyr.

Ezar’s Storehouse: In the past year, this warehouse has gone through several owners. Each onedied under strange circumstances. Now, no one darestake ownership, and stories say the warehouse ishaunted. A secret passage below the building leadsinto a particularly dangerous portion of Under-Tyr.

JOSS1 THE JUGGLERCaravan District PersonalityJossi is an elf street performer seen all over the CaravanDistrict, demonstrating impressive juggling skills for coin.Her performance involves singing, selecting volunteersfrom the crowd to participate in her stunts, and othertricks designed to delight.

Jossi is actually a thief who supplements her incomeby serving as a messenger (and sometimes an assassin) forTyr’s Eyes—a network of beggars, thieves, and other streetpeople. She also works for various criminal elements inthe city, including the Toothcutters gang in the Warrens.Jossi sizes up visitors to Tyr, making a note of the inn ortavern where they take lodging. She never knows wheninformation about rich or unusual travelers from thedesert might be worth something.

ARTISAN DiSTRIcTThis area is Tyr’s secondary trade district. ArtisanWay begins at the foot of the Ziggurat of Kalak andwends north to the city-state’s wall, skirting the Warrens to the east. Permanent shops front the road,selling all manner ofgoods and services, includingclothing, household items, fresh and dried foodstuffs,ale, footwear and shoe repair, weaving, and more.Other vendors and street performers work ArtisanWay, but such people do not swarm the thoroughfarelike locusts, as sometimes happens on Caravan Way.

The businesses in this part ofTyr serve local needsrather than the needs ofvisitors. Many freed slaveswho have parlayed their skills into useful crafts orservices make their homes in the Artisan District.The following shops and familiar sights lie in thedistrict.

Karlen’s Eye: This shop sells collectibles andoddities gleaned from Under-Tyr and places beyondthe city. Its owner, Karlen, is a talkative half-giant andretired adventurer who sees the potential for valuein nearly any item plucked from obscurity. He alsohaggles over every sale.

Wayward Trader: This quiet tavern for localsserves kip sausage and biscuits, ales, and broy.

Stone and Mortar: In this store, customers orderstone in bulk or to custom specification from a quarryoutside the walls ofTyr. Xalos, the mul owner, is oftenabsent, sitting in on secret meetings with other powerful citizens (and spying for Urik in the bargain).

Sculptors’ Square: Manors in the architecturalstyle of the two Noble Districts stand here, remnantsof a time when Tyr’s districts adhered to differentborders. Although the buildings are dilapidated,they gained a new lease on life following Kalak’s fall.Freed slaves kept for their artistry have renovatedportions of the crumbling manors for use as art studios. Many craft styles are represented in the square,but the most popular by far is marble and sandstonesculpture. Anyone can visit the studios to see thelatest projects in progress, although donations areexpected; each studio puts out a basin to collect sparecoins. It’s easy to find an empty chamber in Sculptors’ Square suitable for renovation and, if inspirationstrikes, the pursuit of an artistic dream.

Door ofDrakes: Before they disappeared a hundred years ago, the members of the Dethersan noblefamily commissioned a structure that resembled asepulcher adorned with drakes and flames in relief.When the building was finished, the family membersentered it, locked it from the inside, and disappeared.Over the years since, few people have managed toenter the Door of Drakes, and those who succeededwere swallowed without a trace. Today, locals leavethe site alone.

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XAL S THE STONECUTTERArtisan District PersonalityAlthough he is rarely seen inside his shop, Stone andMortar, the mul stonecutter Xalos is a regular fixture inthe district. He wanders the neighborhood and keeps upfriendly acquaintances with its residents. He is especiallyfond of seeing sculptures made from custom stones thatwere delivered from his quarry.

As part of his commitment to work behind the scenesto further liberate the people of Tyr, Xalos sits in on clandestine meetings between factions that seek power in thecity-state. This habit serves him well in his other role—thatof a secret spy for Urik. The mul deludes himself, choosingto believe that he never gives up information that is toodamaging to Tyr. He continues to take a stipend from hisUrikite minder each time they meet in an empty room inSculptors’ Square.

SMiTHs’ DISTRICTThis district also engages in trade, although fewpeople make their homes here. Unlike in the ArtisanDistrict, the labor performed in the Smiths’ District isbig and loud, and it requires a lot of space.

Brickyards: The construction of the brickZiggurat of Kalak was a monumental effort that hurried hundreds of slaves to their deaths. Today, theBrickyards continue to produce bricks, although production has been diverted to the many civil projectsthat languished so long while the ziggurat was beingbuilt. The Brickyards no longer use slaves, insteadpaying laborers for a day’s service. Ironically, manylaborers are ex-slaves who once worked under thethreat of the lash.

The site remains under the authority of the city(that is, King Tithian and the templars), but workershave begun demanding control. Almost daily, protests and demonstrations begin in the Brickyards andmarch through other districts. Each parade includesworkers loudly chanting “Brickyards for the Brickers!” and similar slogans. So far, only minor scuffleshave resulted from brushes with the Tyrian Guard.

Slave Pits: Twenty-foot-high walls with guardtowers on each corner isolate an area once used tohouse slaves working on the Ziggurat of Kalak. Storiesofawful practices committed within the walls stillwag on the tongues of those who survived the experience. When slavery was outlawed in Tyr, the SlavePits remained empty for only a short time beforebeing repurposed as a training ground for aspiringgladiators. What started as an impromptu introduction to arms for newly freed slaves has become moreorganized. Those who wish to compete in the stadium can come here and train to hone their skills.

Rarvin’s Wagonworks: This large workshopspecializes in the repair and manufacture ofwagons,armored argosies, chariots, howdahs, and more.

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Tarnished Cup: This shop offers previouslyowned goods, including jewelry, musical instrumentsand more exotic items that were likely fenced. Theproprietor, a tiefling named Gavan Sul, is rumored todeal in devil grass, a pernicious scrub weed that is thebasis for a potent poison.

The Brick Barrow: Over the years, many slaveshave died in the Brickyards, and their bodies weredropped down a shaft that opened into a cavitybeneath the district. This dumping ground is referredto as the Brick Barrow. Now and then, haunting criesstill echo up the shaft, audible even through the stoneplug that Tithian ordered to seal it.

GAVAN SULSmiths’ District PersonalityGiven the fierce reputation of tieflings, many visitors tothe Tarnished Cup are surprised to find one behind thecounter. However, Gavan Sul is the very soul of urbanity,so much so that he comes off as slightly insincere whenhe flatters customers about how well a particular piece ofjewelry or clothing would look on them. That’s becauseSul is insincere; he cares only for profit and would sell theeyes of his own mother for enough coin.

Sul is a fence for the Iron Rats, a gang that prowls theWarrens. Every so often, a member of the Rats gets theidea to rob the tiefling’s shop, but such thieves are neverseen again. Sul is also secretly involved with the lantoTraders, members of House lanto who aren’t ready to quitthe slave trade just yet. The tiefling sometimes abductspatrons of his shop to supply lanto’s illicit operation.

MERCHANT DISTRiCTCaravan Way snakes into the Merchant District fromthe east. The main thoroughfare reaches its terminusin the shadow of the ziggurat at Iron Square, wherethe road divides to surround the center of trade.Assortments of loyal guards and laborers work in thewarehouses that adjoin the emporiums.

Each of the largest trading houses on Athas maintains emporiums, offices, and homes in the MerchantDistrict. Grandiose trading parlors line Iron Square,each branded with the name and emblem of thecontrolling merchant house and staffed by juniormembers of the house. Between the prominent emporiums sit small traders that fill niche markets andhandle cargo that the bigger merchants avoid due totoo little profit or too much risk. Fierce rivalries andsubtle intrigues are daily considerations of merchantsin Tyr; most houses hire dependable caravan guardsfor their frequent cross-desert trade treks.

Emporiums fronting Iron Square include thefollowing.

House Vordon: Headquartered in Tyr, HouseVordon is the region’s primary iron trader. TradeGoods: iron, weapons, artwork, textiles, and salves(outside Tyr). Emblem: a black diamond.

House Wavir: Based in Balic, this house has goodrelations with the reigning government ofTyr. TradeGoods: grain, ceramics, precious metals, hardwood,gems, and exotic animals. Emblem: a silver crodlu.

House Shorn: Based in Nibenay, Shorn suffersfrom decadence and corruption. Trade Goods: obsidian, water, wood, art, and weapons. Emblem: threewhite dragonflies.

House Tsalaxa: Based in Draj, House Tsalaxa isknown for blackmail, espionage, and assassination.Trade Goods: rope, grain, and “recovered” stolen cargo.Emblem: two glaring, bestial eyes.

House Stel: Based in Urik, Stel is openly militaristic and hostile to lesser houses that it targets foracquisition. Trade Goods: slaves (outside Tyr), weapons, hardwood, feathers, and hostages for ransom.Emblem: crossed black scimitars.

House M’ke: Based in Raam, House M’ke fightsto protect its trade routes and outposts from attacksand runs of “bad luck” orchestrated by Tsalaxa orStel. Trade Goods: nuts, spices, and glassware. Emblem:a silver quill pen.

House lanto: A small Tyrian house formerlyengaged exclusively in the slave trade, lanto isattempting to relaunch its business through speculative cargos. Trade Goods: none right now. Emblem: agreen mix.

HANETH TSALAXAMerchant District PersonalityA ruthless, 30-year-old human trader, Haneth uses hisposition as House Tsalaxa’s representative in Tyr to amassas much personal wealth as possible. He is an expert atblackmail, double dealing, and extortion. When residentsof the Merchant District see Haneth on their doorstep,they know they are in for an unpleasant interaction. Ironically, it’s when Haneth hasn’t been seen for a while thatpeople worry most—the house agent is adept at espionageand assassination.

The oddest characteristic about Haneth is a secret thathe keeps at all costs, even from members of his own house:He has a natural ability to change his shape, which serveshim well in his dirty dealings. Born (apparently) of humanparents, Haneth doesn’t know where his ability comesfrom, but he guesses that it might be psionic in nature.

NOBLE DISTRICTTyr’s Noble District is divided in two by the CaravanDistrict. The stylish, spacious stone residences of theNoble District serve as a reminder ofwhat most commoners will never possess a family name associatedwith a history ofwealth and influence. Merchantprinces, templars, ranking administrators, and nobleswho maintain villas inside the city-state enjoy variousdegrees of lavish quarters. Their residences are tall

~ and airy, usually three stories or more in height. Most~ homes have quarters for servants, private courtyards,~ and gardens.

The district’s shops are more sophisticated thanthose found elsewhere in Tyr. Herbalist shops spiceup their offerings of medicinal herbs and exotic oilswith flute and sitar music. Vendors of colorful silks,glassblowers, and perfumeries display their wares infancy arrangements outside their storefronts, enticingpassersby to linger. Essentially, these shops exist toseparate nobles from their excess coin.

The following sites lie in the Noble District.Rhey’s Apothecary: Items for sale include

medicinal herbs, water pipes, scented candlesand oils, incense, and musical instruments. RheyKhal, a middle-aged male human, is rumored todabble in magic and deal with enchanted items. Heresponds to most inquiries about such interests withself-deprecating humor.

Narissa’s Colors and Scents: Goods includeperfumes, body oils, face paints, colorful feathers,and (for favored customers) poisons. Narissa, a beautiful half-elf said to be the illegitimate daughter of animportant templar, is the soul of discretion, no matterthe purchase.

Jade Jozhal: Items include exotic jewelry fashioned from bone, horn, wood, metal, and gems. KaorikMarrish, the dwarfproprietor, fashions the jewelryhimself. The shop’s guardian is a thri-kreen namedIxixt, whose motionless stance leads many customersto think that he is a particularly lifelike sculpture.


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Athas Revealed: Wares include maps (of city-states, areas, ruins, and more), navigation charts,explorer’s journals, and (to those who know thesecret) routes and access points into Under-Tyr.

Sweetwater Inn: This inn provides luxuryaccommodations and services for visiting nobles,senior house merchants, and others with an excessof wealth.

Blacksun Villa: The Shahram noble familyturned a portion of its manor into a private ballroom,where it hosts fabulous parties to which few othernoble families are invited. The holder of an invitationis the envy ofTyr’s aristocrats, but the plain papyruscards stamped with a black circle and date are rarecommodities.

The templars believe that the villa is the front fora cult, and that its parties are dark ceremonies. However, the nobles who attend the parties have greatpolitical influence, and the templars lack hard evidence that would substantiate the rumors. Thus, theyhave taken no action to investigate what might hidebehind Blacksun Villa’s facade.

THE SCARLET HELNSNoble District Street WatchThe Tyrian Guard doesn’t venture into the Noble District, Instead, the major noble families provide a smallprivate army of watch officers. Called the Scarlet Helmsafter their distinctive red-dyed headwear of mix scales,this force maintains order in the streets and escorts non-residents out of the district by nightfall. It keeps specialwatch on the borders where trade districts adjoin nobleneighborhoods.

A Scarlet Helms squad consists ofa leader (usually ahuman or mul gladiator) and several half-giant guards.A number of ex-gladiators have hired on with the Scarlet Helms in the weeks since Kalak died and the slaveswere freed.

THE WARRENSThis sprawl of slums scars Tyr’s northern quarterwith a sea of dilapidated structures inhabited by thedesperate, the poor, and the unlucky. Freed slavesswarmed into the Warrens following Kalak’s overthrow, looking for places to call their own. Somefound jobs on the plantations outside the city thatonce enslaved them. Others, less fortunate and lessambitious, turned to crime to survive. Visitors areadvised to stick to the edges of the neighborhood.Monsters lair in some of the deepest portions of theWarrens, where many structures have remainedempty and ruined for decades.

Other than a number of poor craftsfolk and dismalwine shops, the Warrens have few permanent storesof note. Sites in the Warrens include the following.


Elven Bridge: The ancient Elven Bridge hangsover a dust-filled streambed that has been dry for aslong as anyone can remember. This secluded spot is asite for clandestine exchanges and ambushes againstinnocents lured into the Warrens.

House on Sand Street: One place even the brutalgangs of the Warrens avoid is the winding, guttedalleyway called Sand Street. This road dead-ends at astructure that is not decrepit like those all around it.

Rumors say that within the building dwells a worm-like creature known as a psurlon.

Elven Market: Destitute as the Warrens are,many people visit the area to shop at the ElvenMarket. Stalls and tables clutter the dark alleyways,and elf peddlers beset anyone who seems likelyto have a coin or two to rub together. Most elvengoods are worthless baubles, but some tribes offerexotic items and curiosities that are not availableanywhere else in Tyr. The Nightwinds tribe dealsin silk rope, fleece, and soaps; the Vinian tribe sellsexotic pets such as hurrums and lizards; and theGreenstone elves specialize in candles, sunrods, andeverburning torches.

Screaming Cellar: Just off the Elven Market is anabandoned winehouse whose cellar contains a secretentrance into Under-Tyr. When a crew ofToothcutters raided the winehouse one night and killed theproprietors, the conflict woke some kind of evil,which manifests as a screaming spirit of rage. No onewho has seen it has survived, and those who hearthe screams that issue up through the ground havetroubled dreams.

GANGS OF THE WARRENSMany gangs roam the Warrens. Robberies have risen dramatically since Kalak’s death, and the Tyrian Guard findsbodies in the street daily. Sometimes the violence spillsover into the trade districts or the Noble District. Noteven appearances by strong templar patrols helps. Themobs scatter when they see the guards coming, vanishinglike rats in a sewer.

Gangs in the Warrens include the following.Toothcutters: This pack of murderous elves controls

the largest swath of the Warrens. Many shops within(and outside) the Warrens pay protection money to theToothcutters. The influential half elf Shivrin has a secretassociation with this gang.

Iron Rats: Made up of thieves and cutpurses, the IronRats spend most of their day in richer districts, takingcoins and valuables from the unwary and dodging theTyrian Guard. Gavan Sul in the Smiths’ District fencesstolen goods for the gang.

Ruincreepers: This group of displaced halflings liveslike feral animals in the deepest part of the Warrens.Word is that they have tamed an escaped braxat that lairsamong the dilapidated structures.

THE STADiUM OF TYRTyr’s gladiatorial stadium sits between the wallsof the Golden City and Kalak’s Ziggurat. A specialviewing balcony, once reserved for the king and high-ranking templars, is set halfway up the Golden City’swalls. On the opposite side of the stadium, a greatstairway climbs from the gladiatorial floor to the topof the ziggurat. Mosaics depicting Kalak as a warriorgod adorn each step facing the stadium.

The spaces below the spectators’ seats are a mazeof cells and passageways that hold prisoners andmonsters destined for the arena. A wide avenue leadsfrom the stadium’s north side to the nearby StadiumGate in the city walls. This gate is carved to resemblethe gaping jaws of the Dragon, and it is used to transport monsters captured in the mountains or thedesert to holding cells until they are brought out forcombat in the arena.

The Master of Games, a high-ranking templar,stages games on ten days out of each month andduring festivals. Anyone can enter the games,although in practice, most entrants are professionalswho win purses to support themselves or gladiatorssponsored by a noble family or merchant house.Slaves are no longer conscripted to compete in thestadium. Deaths are far less common than they wereunder Kalak’s reign; most contests now end when onegladiator yields or is too badly wounded to continue.Any gladiator who performs a coup de grace on adowned opponent is exiled from Tyr. However, battlesagainst desert monsters or savage foes are always tothe death.

On days when no games are held, the stadiumserves as an impromptu market ofjumbled stalls,hide tents, and blankets where vendors offer goodsand services. The sellers who display their waresneed not pay any fee for the space they occupy as longas it is no more than two wagons wide. King Tithianwas pressured by the freed slaves into making thisdecree to give ex slaves a place to offer their serviceswithout going into debt.

F1G1-ITING iN THE STADIUMPlayer characters can fight in the gladiatorial stadium ifthey wish to enter the competition and pay a fee of 25 gpper game. They can take part as individuals or as a teamand could be involved in a fight, a race, or an obstaclecourse. Create a stadium game just as you would createa regular encounter, setting the level of the creatures andthreats in the encounter to within 4 levels of the party’slevel. The purse for winning a competition should be atreasure parcel that is 2 levels lower than the parcel normally awarded for overcoming the encounter.

THE Z1GGURAT OF KAI.AK“The great Ziggurat towered above the squalor of the sunbaked city. Each level of the terraced pyraniid wasfinishedin glazed brick ofa different color: gleaming violet at thebase, then indigo, azure, green,yellow,fiery orange, andfinally, scarlet.”

— A chronicler ofAthas

Kalak built his ziggurat to siphon the life force of thepeople ofTyr and use it to transform himself into abeing as mighty as the Dragon. He failed, but the ziggurat remains as a prominent reminder of the evils ofdefiling and the folly of placing ultimate power in asorcerer-king.

The only obvious entrance is located atop thegreat stair, which opens into a small antechamberlined with obsidian as black as Kalak’s heart. A massive block of stone scribed with the emblem ofKingTithian now seals the entrance into the body of theziggurat. In addition, a squad of the Tyrian Guard isalways on duty here, making certain that no one triesto gain entry without permission of the templars.

What lies inside the ziggurat? At the very least,the structure contains the defiling apparatus thatKalak created to drain the life force ofTyr’s citizens. According to the only group that managed topenetrate the ziggurat and come out alive a strikeforce sponsored by the Veiled Alliance the interioris a maze of stairs, tunnels, and obsidian brick-linedchambers on which arcane glyphs pulse. Artifacts,relics, and tomes were noted but left in place for fearof disturbing further evil. The strike force hunted forKalak, who had fled into the ziggurat after receivinga seemingly mortal wound from the gladiator Rikusin the stadium. It was widely reported that the strikeforce recovered his corpse, but in truth, Kalak’s bodywas never found.

Recently, the noble Murter Dyan has argued thatanother group should enter the ziggurat to learnmore of Kalak’s secrets and discover what becameofhis body. However, most of the city-state’s leadersbelieve that the place is better left undisturbed. A fewof the factions vying for power in Tyr want to breakthe seals on the ziggurat and explore the place fromtip to cellar. No group is so eager as the True, a secretsociety that wishes to return Kalak or an heir to thethrone. IfKing Tithian decides to send another teaminto the ziggurat, the True’s agent among the nobility—Murter Dyan intends to accompany the groupso he can spy on what is discovered and advance theTrue’s schemes.

THE GO1DEN CiivOnce reserved for King Kalak and his top administrators and templars, the Golden City retains many of itsrestrictions on visitation, despite the growing clamorofordinary Tyrians.

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On one day every week, commoners are allowed totour the King’s Gardens and the Golden Tower. Onlyabout a hundred citizens are let in on any given day,despite the fact that far more wish to see the fabledgardens with their own eyes. Resentment is brewing,even though the templars have tried to explain that ifthe gardens were opened freely to all citizens ofTyr,the place would suffer irreparable damage.

Sites of interest in the Golden City include thefollowing.

Grand Gate: Only shipments from Tyr’s ironmines and people on government business canpass through this gate. When closed, the GrandGate presents to the world a marble slab carved toresemble the terrifying visage of the Dragon. The gateis protected by Tyrian Guard detachments as well asa gate captain versed in the Way.

High Bureaus: Just inside the Grand Gate lies acluster ofbuildings in which administrators and templars see to the day-to-day functions of the city-state.Although everyone associated with the new government in Tyr describes it as “a brand new day for all,”bribes remain the quickest way to gain an audiencewith the ranking templar of a given bureau.

King’s Gardens: The King’s Gardens include threelushly wooded and overgrown plots of land. Walkingamid these green canopies is like stepping into thefertile past ofAthas. Lavish amounts ofwater fromthe Golden City’s wells and a small army of attentivegardeners keep these areas alive with growth despitethe killing climate; Kalak ordered this done so thathe would have a ready source of life for his defilingmagic. With Kalak gone, the same gardeners—underthe leadership ofthe Master of the Gardens, a half-elftemplar named Dafna—continue to tend the botanicalreserve because the gardens contain many rare trees,including a few said to be magical.

Templar District: Many templars keep mansionsin the Noble District, but the highest-ranking ternplars and their families live in a special section of theGolden City. Large warehouses at the western end ofthis area house precious reserves ofgrain, iron, water,and weaponry. No obvious entrances present themselves; instead, well-guarded tunnels in Under-Tyrconnect each warehouse to an entrance building inthe High Bureaus.

THE GOLDEN TOWERThis magnificent edifice is constructed of raregolden granite that gleams like yellow iron under thecrimson sun ofAthas. A high, arching bridge connectsthe smaller observation tower with the larger mainkeep. The defiling magic of King Kalak bound ancientelementals to the Golden Tower, and these creaturesshow themselves if invaders threaten the structure.

The third level ofthe tower (to which the bridgefrom the observation spire connects) contains the

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Advisors’ Chamber, formerly the Royal ReceivingRoom, whose seats are luxurious pillows and cushions.The former centerpiece ofthe chamber, Kalak’s opuleniron throne, has been removed and forged into bladesto arm heroes ofthe revolt against Kalak. A council ofTithian’s highest-ranking templars meets in this room,and leaders ofother power groups in Tyr are called tothe Golden Tower when the king or the templars needto sell them on a certain course ofaction.

Onyx staircases lead to the chamber above, whichwas Kalak’s library. King Tithian’s chamberlainsguard the collection; sages and scholars who havebeen granted access report that the library holdsmany secrets of the long history ofAthas.

MEETiNG WiTHTHE TEMPLARS

Although the citizens of Tyr now have greater influence ingovernment matters than they did under Kalak, they donot have the right to stand before the king or the councilof templars. Usually, citizens who have concerns attemptto meet with a templar out of chambers and convince himor her to take up the issue with the full body of advisors.

Individuals can be invited to a meeting as guests ofthe templars, especially if a person or a group has beeninstrumental in solving a problem in the city-state. Thetemplars might invite a group of proven player charactersto a meeting and ask them to perform a service that willaid Tyr, such as:4- Spying on a nearby ruin, trade outpost, or city-state.+ Infiltrating a Tyrian secret society.+ Mapping a newly uncovered portion of Under-Tyr.+ Eradicating the True.+ Exposing the headquarters of a rogue Veiled Alliance

faction.+ Investigating illicit slaving in the area.4 Accompanying an embassy to the Forest Ridge.

UNDER-TYROver the centuries, Tyr has been racked by conflagration, famine, sandstorm, pestilence, war, and thewrath of the Dragon. Each time the city-state suffereda tragedy, Kalak ordered it rebuilt. More than twothousand years of such activity means that severallayers of ancient ruins lie beneath Tyr, with entrancesto Under-Tyr scattered throughout the city. TheWarrens contain many entrances, about halfofwhichare sealed, but hidden passages exist in nearly everydistrict. Those who own a shop or structure that hasan entrance to Under-Tyr might allow explorers touse the route for a fee and a pledge of silence.

As explorers follow one of the tunnels beneath Tyr,they cross interconnected sunken streets, ancientsewers, lightless courtyards, dizzying stairs, fallentowers, lost catacombs, and echoing cellars. Half-crumbled businesses, residences, and shrines to

forgotten gods abound. Within this subterraneanrealm lurk creatures that have adapted to the darkness, undead, latent magic wards, and criminalelements using shortcuts and lairs that are unlikelyto be discovered by the Tyrian Guard. King Tithianhas declared Under-Tyr off limits to citizens notto protect would be explorers, but to avoid arousing unknown magic, traps, or monsters that lieslumbering.

Under-Tyr consists of hundreds ofdistinct pocketsbeneath the present-day city-state, some ofwhichare not connected to one another. The major routesinclude a myriad of intersections and smallerpassages that lead to mazes of dark corridors, echoingchambers, and dank cavities. The largest interconnected regions beneath Tyr are the Sorrows, theElven River, the Belly of the Noble, Tembo’s Teeth, theCrawl, the Road of Crypts, and Night Dragon Way.

The Sorrows: The Sorrows is a rubble-filledmaze of confusing chambers. A great courtyardin the center of the area contains a chasm ofunplumbed depths, along with an immense buildingmade ofgranite blocks and what appears to be intactcolored glass. The sealed structure is said to behaunted by vengeful ghosts of those slaughtered longago by Kalak.

Elven River: This so-called river contains nowater and is merely a network of smooth tunnels thatreach deep into subterranean Athas. A colony of idfiends lairs in the tunnels nearest to the surface, anda small group of the creatures emerges into Tyr eachnight to search for fresh victims.

Belly of the Noble: This complex of interconnected cellars and broken vaults lies beneath theNoble District. It is widely considered to be one of themost dangerous parts of Under-Tyr, riddled with bothmodern and ancient traps meant to safeguard treasures of the ages. Regardless, thieves occasionally trythe Belly, to their regret.

Tembo’s Teeth: This area of Under-Tyr is a natural subterranean cavern and associated cave complex.The many stalagmites and stalactites decorating thecaves give the area its name. A century ago, Kalaksent a group of dwarves and half-giants to seal offthe Teeth after yuan-ti were sighted in the deeper

F UNTAIN OF LEAVESSomewhere in the Belly of the Noble, a dry fountaincontains a split, eroded statue of Kalak. Residual magicsupports a sickly growth of vines and luminescent leavesthat smothers the statue and sends trailers dozens of feetdown nearby intersecting tunnels. The plant produces adeep red fruit that temporarily enhances psionic abilities in those who consume it. However, the nature of theenhancement is random, and it comes at the cost of prophetic nightmares of mind-shattering intensity.

tunnels. When Kalak was overthrown, some of theworks ofhis defiling magic failed. Those who havethe gift ofpsionic foresight believe that passagewaysto an ancient yuan-ti temple might soon gape widebeneath the streets ofTyr.

The Crawl: The crushed remains of trade districtsof earlier eras create a barely supported network oflow-ceilinged chambers; in many places, the roofis only 3 to 5 feet high. In Tyr, explorers can obtainfragments of maps that hint at an old armory in theCrawl stocked with iron weapons, but so far, thesemaps have not provided enough information foranyone to find the storehouse. Explorers who returnfrom their failed attempts describe the Crawl as atorturous death trap replete with rockfalls and hordesof zombies that seep out of the nearby Road of Crypts.

Road of Crypts: Tombs of long-dead nobles fillthis multileveled, branching catacomb. Many cryptsstand empty, having been looted long ago; others areguarded by deadly traps, defiling magic wards, andundead that do not wish to be disturbed.

Night Dragon Way: This mysterious road onceplunged to deeper places, but the far end collapsed ina rockfall centuries ago. Dim red light spills from themouths of crudely carved dragons that appear everyhundred feet on the side walls. A colossal statue of adragon—perhaps the Dragon—lies in broken fragmentsoff a chamber midway down the tunnel. No oneknows the statue’s history or purpose.


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BAL1C, CiTY OF SAiLS“In Balk, we treasure ourfreedoms. You arefree to speakas you will. Of course, Andropinis is alsofree to speak as hewill, which might very well be an orderforyour execution.Choose your words with care, myfriend.”

—Darian, a patrician of Balic

A wealthy mercantile city-state on the shores of theEstuary of the Forked Tongue, Balic is under thecontrol ofDictator Andropinis, a sorcerer-king whoclaims to have been elected to his throne over sevenhundred years ago. Despite the dictator’s grip, Balic isperhaps the most affluent city-state in the Tyr Regionand is home to powerful merchant houses that bringgreat wealth to Balicans fortunate enough to share inthe prosperity. The business of Balic is business, andfor the most part, Andropinis does not interfere inroutine affairs of nobles or merchant emporiums.

The city is renowned for its democratic traditions.Balic’s nobles are seated in a Chamber of Patriciansthat creates and maintains the code of laws, and itstemplars must stand for election to 10-year terms.The various professional guilds (and Balic’s chapterof the Veiled Alliance, for that matter) conducttheir business by taking votes and electing officers;even the dictator is, in theory, elected. Much of thisdemocracy, however, is little more than an illusion.The office of dictator is held for life, and Andropinis has endured in his position now for centuries.Public debate and discourse is allowed, but only upto a point. Any direct criticism of the dictator or histemplars is dealt with harshly, and the patricianslearned long ago to pass only those laws that meetwith the dictator’s approval.

Balic enjoys a cultural heritage and a civicmythology dating back thousands ofyears, whichfinds expression in a public appreciation for poetryand drama. The mythology still lives in the formofpowerful arcane vestiges; Andropinis and histemplars are masters ofmanipulation. The culturalheritage is evident in the dozens of theaters throughout the city-state, which run the gamut from crowded,ramshackle stagehouses in the poorer quarters tomagnificent amphitheaters in the noble districts.In Balic, talented playwrights and orators can winacclaim equal to that held by the greatest gladiatorsas long as they steer clear of subject matter that thedictator’s templars might find offensive.

BALICAN BACKGROUNDSThe far-flung interests of Balic’s powerful merchanthouses mean that Balican characters exist throughoutthe Tyr Region.

Associated Skills: Athletics, StreetwiseLanguage: Giant


Legionary: You served as a foot soldier in thearmy of Balic for a time. Legionaries who finishtheir terms honorably gain several privileges in thecity-state, including the right to own land and holdcertain offices. Did you complete your enlistment, ordid you desert?

Patrician: You were born into one ofBalic’s noblefamilies. Your family owns a large estate outsidethe city-state and holds a seat in the Chamber ofPatricians. Perhaps you grew bored and turned toadventuring to find new challenges. Maybe you fellout of favor with your family or were disinherited.Or are you a person of conscience, determined to useyour wealth to improve the lot of the less fortunate?

Silt Sailor: You spent your youth as a deckhand inBalic’s fleet of silt schooners, working the trade routesin the Estuary of the Forked Tongue, the Silt Archipelago, and sometimes as far away as the Road ofFire. Traveling the Sea of Silt is dangerous—you havefought offgiants and silt horrors and endured terribledust storms. Why did you leave your last ship? Do youhope to buy your own vessel someday?

BALIC AT A GLANCEThe wealthiest of the Seven Cities, Balic is a mercantilepower known for its democratic systems, although Dictator Andropinis is the true authority in the city-state.

Population: Roughly 24,000 people live in Balic, withmore in the nearby countryside. About half the population is human. Dwarves, muls, elves, and half-elves arepresent in large numbers. Balic is also home to smallnumbers of minotaurs and half-giants.

Water~ A system of five public wells and extensive subterranean cisterns supplies Balic with water. Most noblevillas have their own cisterns. The city-state depends onthe intermittent rainfall of the months of Sun Descending to replenish its water stores. In dry years, the praetorsenforce strict water rationing.

Supplies: Balic’s exports include grain, salt, oliveswine, livestock, leather, marble, and a small amount ofcopper.

Defense: Balic faces few threats from other city-states,but giants and desert raiders are drawn to the fields andmanors outside the city walls. Five legions of one thousand soldiers each garrison the city and its fields. Mostable-bodied free citizens are conscripted into the legionsas young adults for three years of service.

Inns and Taverns: The Olive Tree, just off the Road ofLegions in the Arena Precinct, offers cheap but securelodgings for travelers. The Furled Sail is a rough, dangerous place that caters to the crew and passengers of siltskimmers moored in the harbor. The Thespian House inthe Market Precinct, known for its bawdy productions,secretly serves as a meeting place for the Veiled Alliance.

144

I3AuC’S POWER STRUCTUREMost Balicans regard Andropinis as a necessary evil,resigning themselves to the fact that the dictatorwields supreme power and isn’t likely to surrender it.

Andropinis routinely arranges the elections of ternplars he favors and directs the Chamber of Patriciansto pass the laws he drafts. From time to time, heindulges idealists and reformers, allowing corruptnobles or unsatisfactory templars to be indicted orvoted out. However, the dictator retains absolute control over the city’s legions and brooks no defiance ofhis personal authority.

PATRICiANSBalic’s nobles are known as patricians. The patricianclass is composed of the leading landowning families;each family owns a slave-worked estate ofgrain fields,vineyards, olive groves, and pastures in the lands westof the city. Many of Balic’s most prestigious publicoffices, such as military command and importanttemplar positions, can be filled only by candidates ofthe patrician class, so the families amass a great dealof influence by placing their sons and daughters inpublic service.

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The dictator theoretically governs with the consent of the Chamber of Patricians (a legislative bodymade up of representatives from each fftmily), but inpractice, the patricians rarely challenge Andropinis.A charge of treason,justified or not, is all the excusethe dictator needs to strip a patrician family of itslands and offices and redistribute them elsewhere.

PRAETORSPraetors are the templars of Balic. By popular vote,they are elected to their offices for 10-year terms.Once they have won their positions, Andropinisinvests them with the magical power necessary toperform their duties. The dictator’s minions carefullyscreen candidates and arrange voting districts andslates to produce the results that Andropinis desires.On occasion, an unwanted praetor is elected despitethe dictator’s arrangements; unfortunate accidentsoften befall such people shortly after they take office.

Praetors whose terms end without reelection orwho are elevated in anticipation of offices they mightone day hold serve at the discretion ofAndropinis.The most important praetors in Balic, the high praetors, hold no particular office but stand high in thedictator’s confidences.

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MERCHANT HOUSESTrade is the lifeblood of Balic, and the great merchantcompanies fill the dictator’s coffers with coin. Thestreets surrounding the open market square knownas the Agora are home to large emporiums from othercity-states in the Tyr Region, including House VordonofTyr, House M’ke of Raam, and House Stel ofUrik.The Agora is dominated by three major Balican merchant houses and a dozen or more small ones.

COMMONERS AND SLAVESMany of Balic’s common tradesfolk and artisansbelong to guilds ofvarying power. Some guilds arestrong enough to force nobles and merchants toheed their demands; for example, the Potters’ Guildenforces high standards (and high prices) on Balic’sdistinctive pottery, ensuring that its members earna good wage from selling the pieces they produce.Below the common citizens are the slaves, who makeup 40 percent of the city-state’s population. Slavesenjoy basic protections under Balic’s laws, but thepraetors enforce these laws only in the most egregiouscases of cruelty.

EXPLORING BALICBalic lies near the eastern end of the Balican Peninsula, a range of arid hills between the arms of theEstuary of the Forked Tongue. The slopes of the hillsare mild and verdant by Athasian standards; grain

fields, vineyards, olive groves, and progressively drierpastures extend about thirty miles west of the city-state’s walls before giving way to stony barrens andbrown mountain peaks. Large, slave-worked nobleestates along the peninsula provide most of Balic’sfood supply, but they are threatened by desert raiderand by giants who lair in the islands of the Estuary.Most travelers bound for the city-state follow theRoad of Legions, the major passage along the spine ofthe peninsula. Balic’s wall cuts off the tip of the peninsula, running about two miles between the arms ofthe Estuary.

The city-state sits on a natural harbor formed byhigh hills ringing a bay of silt. Many ages past, theharbor was a seaport, but the water is long gone.Where proud galleys and dromonds once rockedgently in their moorings, a great fleet of silt skimmersnow takes shelter. Scores of the wheeled sailing vessels call Balic home, carrying the commerce of thelocal merchant houses from Altaruk and Ledopolusall the way to the distant Silt Archipelago or theshores by Raam and Draj. Within the walled harborof the military shipyard known as the Arsenal lies thepride of the dictator’s fleet—a dozen silt dromonds,light warships fitted with psionically powered helmsthat levitate and can navigate silt of any depth.

Balic is divided into five administrative precinctsplus the Megaleneon, which is the civic center, bothliterally and figuratively.

ARENA PRECiNCTTravelers following the Road ofLegions to Balicarrive at the Great Gate, the heavily guarded mainentrance. Beyond lies the Arena Precinct, an area ofartisans, workshops, and small stores. The Road ofLegions cuts through the middle of the precinct andends at the plaza surrounding the Criterion, Balic’sspectacular arena. As one ventures north or southfrom the main road, the streets grow more clutteredand the people grow poorer.

DARIAN HARAXESPraetor PersonalityA bitter, cruel human warlock of middle years, PraetorDarian is a newly appointed templar in charge of theeffort to expose and destroy the Veiled Alliance in Balic.Relentless and implacable, he plans to spearhead a crackdown on people andbusinesses suspected of having tiesto the Alliance. First, he needs information, so PraetorDarian is searching for potential Alliance recruits whomhe can turn into his own agents before t,hey are contactedby the rebellious group. Visitors—especially those whohave magic items or unusual powers—are high on his list.He isn’t above leveling false charges against someonewho might be useful and threatening death or enslavement unless that person agrees to serve as his agent


The Criterion: Standing under the white, westernbluffs of the Megaleneon, the arena known as theCriterion is the pride of Balic. Its marble facade andgreat awning tower over the nearby area. Gladiatorslaves live in secure barracks east of the arena.

House Jarko: The compound of this merchanthouse stands oniy a block from the Criterion. HouseJarko’s agents specialize in buying and training slavesdestined for the arena, and each day, scores ofprospective gladiators complete drills in the compound’scourtyard from dawn to dusk.

Gun.DERs’ PRECINCTNorth of the Arena Precinct stretches anothercommoner district that reaches to the shores ofthe silt. This district is home to many artisans andworkshops, including potters, leatherworkers, stone-cutters, weavers, and limners. Balic’s professions areorganized into large guilds. The crowded tavernsand stagehouses of the Guilders’ Precinct are full ofvoices muttering against the dictator and the wealthypatricians—not to mention spies who report what theyhear to the praetors.

HARBOR PRECiNCTBetween the Agora and the Estuary of the ForkedTongue is Balic’s Harbor Precinct. Like the Guilders’Precinct, it is cluttered with the dwellings and workshops of common folk, but it is also home to severallarge shipyards, warehouses, and a legion barracks.

The Arsenal: Balic’s military shipyard is calledthe Arsenal. The silt dromonds of the dictator’s fleetare constructed in this walled compound, which alsofunctions as a legion barracks and a fortress guardingthe harbor against attacks by giants.

The Slave Auction: A small plaza in the middleof the Harbor Precinct is the site of Balic’s slaveauction, which is open three days of each week.Because the city takes a cut of each slave’s sale price,it is illegal to sell slaves except at the auction.

MARKET PRECINCTThis part of the city is dominated by emporiums andwarehouses of the prevailing merchant houses. Someof these compounds are small cities within the city,housing hundreds of mercantile agents and laborers.

The Agora: At the eastern foot of the bluffadjoining the Megaleneon is the Agora, Balic’s centralmarketplace and the location of its primary merchantemporiums: House Rees, House Tomblador, andHouse Wavir.

The Elven Market: The Elven Market is barredfrom operating within the Agora, so elfvendors fillthe streets and alleys near that location. Visitorsheading for the Agora face a gauntlet ofelfpeddlersand pickpockets before they reach the main bazaar.

House Wavir: The largest of Balic’s houses, Wavirmaintains emporiums in all the cities of the TyrRegion. Wavir is unusual among the major merchant

houses because it refuses to engage in slavery. All who ~.‘

work for Wavir are free, and the house hires excep- —

tional agents to protect its interests throughout theTyr Region.

House Tomblador: The sworn enemy of House CWavir, Tomblador gladly deals in the slave trade that >-

Wavir forsakes. Tomblador was the preeminent merchant house of Balic until Wavir arose and displaced L)it a century ago. Today, Tomblador controls most of UBalic’s silt skimmers and the Estuary trade. —~

House Rees: Driven solely by a quest for profits,Rees is known for its counting-houses—lending institutions that invest in smaller businesses and squeezethem brutally for years afterward. Many old patricianfamilies have ties to House Rees or owe it money.

VILLA PRECiNCTThe Villa Precinct, Balic’s noble district, spreadsover the slopes of the cypress-dotted hills south ofthe Arena Precinct and the Megaleneon. High abovethe haze of silt that chokes the lower-lying precinctsstand the palaces of the patricians, surrounded byorchards and guard barracks.

Villa Nauripides: A small estate near Balic’s wall,the seat of the once-dominant Nauripides familynow serves as the headquarters for the local VeiledAlliance. The silver-haired human noble ZaethusNauripides has supported the Alliance for forty years,and his father funded the group before him. Theplaywright Ramphion is the elected leader of the Alliance; much of the support given by the Nauripidesfamily is disguised as patronage for his plays.

Mount Laeron: The brown peak ofMount Laeronrises a thousand feet above Balic’s eastern precincts,shielding the city from the dusty wind that blows upthe Estuary on most mornings. A handful of ruins lieon Laeron’s slopes, and stories persist that their vaultsand crypts hide long-lost treasures.

THE MEGALENEONThe physical and political center of Balic is the Megaleneon, a high, rocky hill overlooking the harbor.Andropinis rules from the White Palace, a majesticstructure at the top of the hill. The Chamber ofPatricians and the barracks of the First Legion sit fartherdown the slope of the Megaleneon.

Temple of Heroes: Near the Chamber ofPatricians stands the Temple of Heroes, a shrine to thegreat figures of Balic’s civic mythology. Residents ofthe city-state don’t worship these ancient heroes asgods. Instead, the figures form the basis for a collection of fables that illustrate Balican virtues such ascourage, dutifulness, resourcefulness, and cleverness.

The Praetorium: Most of Balic’s civic businesstakes place in the Praetorium, a large building housing the administrative offices and quarters of thepraetors. A strong, secure prison lies in the dungeonsbelow the templars’ offices.

CHAPTER S Atlas of Athas147

DRAJ, CiTY OF THE NOONS“You,friend, have been given a great honor. To see theFather is a rare blessing bestowed on only the worthiestsouls. What’s thatyou say? Sacr!flce? Oh, yes—yes, indeed,you will be sacr!ficed. Now don’t struggle so. To haveyourheart claimed by a god what a gift!”

Huemac, moon priest attendant

Draj is a backwater city-state held firmly in the graspof a mad sorcerer-king. Draj has never known peace,for warfare and conflict are among its highest ideals.Warriors hold power, and their vaunted status issomething all aspire to attain. When not waging waragainst Raam or defending their home from reprisalsor conquest, Draji raiders prowl the surroundingwastes, plundering villages for fresh slaves to replacethose expended in labor or sacrifice.

Draj owes its sinister nature to its sorcerer-king.Tectuktitlay, the Father of Life, is a pervasive presence in the city-state. His visage adorns walls andbuildings, his symbol ripples on banners, and histemplars (known as moon priests) are everywhere,enforcing his laws and instructing the people in hisperfect divinity. No one would suggest it, but in fact,the sorcerer-king’s features have little majesty. Tectuktitlay has narrow eyes, a wide nose, heavy jowls,and round, pouty lips. Other regal images include thefeathered serpent found on banners carried by soldiers in war. The jasuan, or ambush drake, also has aplace of prominence in Draj.

Tectuktitlay’s influence is so insidious that mostDraji dare not question his divinity, doubt the deedsattributed to him, or disobey the commands givenby his moon priests. All citizens know that dissentinvites the sorcerer king’s ire, and his anger can bequelled only by blood sacrifice.

DRAB BACKGROUNDSFew of Draj’s people travel abroad, except in warparties. Most residents of the city-state are insularand suspicious of others.

Associated Skills: Religion, StealthLanguage: AbyssalCalmec Scribe: Your family belongs to one of the

scholar, or calmec, clans. You have studied writing,history, astrology, and theology. Few calmec scribeswander far from Draj, but you might have dabbled inforbidden arts recorded in your clan’s ancient texts, orperhaps you discovered warnings of a dire catastropheto come in the horoscopes you cast. What are yousearching for in the deserts beyond your city-state?

Jasuan Knight: You were born in one of theheroic clans as a noble of Draj. You spent your youthscouring the surrounding lands for enemies, monsters, spies, and captives to bring back for sacrifice.


You might have been sent out into the world to meetthe demands of a horoscope drawn for you by thecalmec scribes, or perhaps you fled Draj to avoid ablood feud with another clan. Were you blamed forthe death of a fellowjasuan knight and exiled, or didthe bloody cruelty of the moon priests finally pushyou into a crisis of conscience?

Pochte Trader: You were raised in a pochte clan,a family group dedicated to mercantile pursuits.Tsalaxa is the largest and best-known group outside Draj, but a number of other pochte clans exist.Whereas most Draji are xenophobic, you have dealtwith foreigners all your life, and you understand theirways. Pochte traders have a reputation as siy, ruthlessdealers who dabble in espionage and intrigue; do youlive up to that stereotype, or are you more honest?Are you always looking for the next chance to barter,or have you left your caste behind in your adventures?

DRAJ’S POWER STRUCTUREThe basic social organization of Draj is the clan,a group of related families that practice the sametrade or craft. Most Draji are raised to follow in thefootsteps of the forebears of their clan. Each clan isassigned a portion of the fields surrounding Draj and

DRAJ AT A GLANCECommanding the landscape for miles around, blood-drenched Draj is home to a warlike people whose loyaltyto their sorcerer-king is as unwavering as their ferocity.

Population: About 18,000 people live in li~raj, plusmany more—mostly slaves and guards—in the surroundingfields. Humans account for just. over half the populationof the city-state. Elves and dwarvesare the largest minorities; many dwarves toil as slaves in the fields. A few muls,haiflings, thri-kreen, and others round out the populace.

Water: The boggymudflats surrounding Draj releaselittle usable water, but deep wells in the Gift tap into thewater table below.

Supplies: Draj is an agricultural center, with abundantgrain and hemp fields that can feed the city-state manytimes over. Textiles such as cotton, linen, and silk are majorexports. The city’s distance from Tyr means that ~o~mecommodities, specifically metal goods, are hard to acquire.

Defense: The city-state has an enormous military.Some five hundred jasuan knights make up the core of thedefense and receive support from another three thousandlesser warriors. The moon priests can press slaves intoservice if they see the need to do so.

Inns and Taverns: Unfriendly to travelers, Draj offersfew inns and fewer taverns. Most accommodations arerun by House Tsalaxa, cater to caravans, and stand nearthe Golden Moon Gate.

148

a share of slaves taken in raids on other city-states.Prestigious clans receive better plots in the fields andhold more slaves.

Whether or not they believe that Tectuktitlay is adivine being, almost all Draji embrace him as theirruler and count his presence as a boon. The Fatherof Life delegates most of the city-state’s administrative concerns to his templars. The elite warrior casteknown as the jastian knights supports the templars.All other residents of the city-state are merchants,artisans, or slaves.

TECTUKTIThAYAccording to the story told by the moon priests, themoons Ral and Guthay pitied the world and gave toit their son, a god in mortal flesh named Tectuktitlay.The god led his chosen people out of suffering andto a new home. With a word, he repaired the lands,turning sand to soil and bringing forth lush growth.With a sweep ofhis hand, he raised a city to give shelter to his followers. His work complete, Tectuktitlaymade ready to depart, but the mortals beseeched himto stay and protect them from jealous enemies whowould claim his gift for themselves. The Father of Lifeconsented, and the people built for him a palace inwhich he would dwell forever.

Actually, Tectuktitlay is no god. He’s “merely” asorcerer-king, and a middling one at that. He is petty,spiteful, and ravenous for power. Never content withhis holdings, he constantly looks to the west, probinghis rivals’ lands and defenses for weakness so he cansend forth his legions and expand his empire.

MOON PRIESTSDraj’s templars are known as moon priests. Partbureaucrats, part warriors, and part religious police,they use fear and propaganda to ensure Tectuktitlay’scontinued reign. Their primary purpose is to controlthe population and observe a bewildering variety ofrites and celebrations throughout the year. The moonpriests teach the Draji that bountiful harvests willcontinue only as long as Tectuktitlay and the moonsare pleased.

MAXLIXOCO,1-UGH MOON PRiEST

Moon Priest PersonalityMaxlixoco is the High Moon Priest, chief of the cult thatdeifies Tectuktitlay. He is a stringent, petty fanatic andbrutally punishes lesser priests who aren’t sufficientlyattentive to their duties. A withered old man of 80, Maxlixoco is the son ofTectuktitlay, who saw to his child’s risethrough the ranks of the templars. The High Moon Priestis a spiteful madman who earnestly believes his father’spropaganda and brooks not the slightest expression ofdoubt about Tectuktitlay in his presence.

As is true of templars in other city-states, the moon ~priests have a hierarchy. The lesser templars overseethe fields and slaves; those of higher rank attend thesorcerer-king, with all the luxury and excess thatsuch a position carries.

JASUAN KNiGHTSDraji respect strength and ruthlessness, qualitiespersonified by their warriors. The jasuan knights,named for Tectuktitlay’s beloved pet drakes, embodythese principles. Jasuan knights are warriors born intoone of the city’s heroic clans, the descendants ofgreatDraji heroes of long ago. Unlike the nobles of othercity-states, Draji nobles aren’t necessarily wealthylandowners. Their riches lie in their membership inthe city’s foremost clans, and their trade is war.

Each noble clan claims the allegiance of certainartisan or merchant clans. Warriors of these lowerclans are bound to “their” jasuans and fight undertheir command.

EXPLORING DRA;Other city-states have larger populations, but onlyRaam rivals Draj’s sprawling size. Draj commandsthe Tyr Region’s easternmost extent, where the oldRoad of Kings curls east and then northward to legendary lands and the world’s edge beyond. The richmudflats that surround the city-state for miles giveDraj its strength and resources. Grain and hempgrow abundantly in fields worked by slaves day andnight under the moon priests’ watchful eyes.

A causeway of stone cuts through the muddyfields and brackish ponds. Along this narrow pathtravel House Tsalaxa’s merchant caravans, ladenwith flour, rope, textiles, and other goods, casting adeep shadow across the smaller clans that struggleagainst this mercantile giant—such as Draj’s ElvenMarket, which consists of a string of shabby littletents and booths along the causeway. The ancientstone road cuts through the fields until it comesto the outer city, which is called the Gift. No wallprotects the Gift; a wide, muddy ditch filled withsharpened stakes and vermin is the only barrier.Javelin-armed guards patrol the perimeter of thismoat. The only route across is a stone bridge, its footings sunk deep into the mud.

The Gift is a lively community that fills the spacebetween the ditch and the 60-foot-tall walls thatsurround the inner city, known as Two Moon City. Inthe Gift, roads wend among clay buildings that arestacked atop one another like children’s blocks. Woodor hemp ladders offer access to the upper stories androofs. Here and there lie public squares with greatwells and the fat, round towers of grain silos.

The Golden Moon Gate is the only passage fromthe Gift into Two Moon City. Upon entering Tectuktitlay’s inner domain, the first sight that visitors see

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CHAPTER 5 Atlas of Atlias

is the Father and Master Temple, an enormous step-pyramid that commands the entire city-state. At itspeak is the God’s Altar, where Tectuktitlay sacrificesslaves, dissenters, and enemy soldiers by tearing outtheir hearts and discarding their corpses to the arenahundreds of feet below. Channels cut into the pyramid’s sides carry blood down to ground level and intothe compound. On days of sacrifice, crimson streamstrickle throughout the inner city.

THE FIEL.DS OF PIJENTYThe moon priests divide the mudflats into segregatedfields that are given over to grain and hemp production. This system allows them to manage crops moreefficiently and keep the slave laborers under theircontrol. Each plot features a small encampmentthat includes a barn or a granary, a slave barracks,a communal hail for meals, and an altar dedicatedto Tectuktitlay. Moon priests and overseers from theclan that owns the plot patrol the borders to monitorwork and keep the slaves docile.

Avenue of Conquest: When the Road of Kingsenters the Fields of Plenty, it becomes the Avenue ofConquest. Paved in stones and raised above the surrounding fields, this path is the easiest and deadliestroute into the city-state. Many would-be invaders, unable to maneuver in the boggy grainfields,

~AJ

have found defeat as they pushed down the road,facing arrows, spears, and hit-and-run attacks fromdefenders hidden in the fields.

House Tsalaxa Compound: Tsalaxa is the largestand most powerful merchant house operating outof Draj. Reviled by other merchant houses, Tsalaxadoesn’t let bad publicity interfere with its business.Ydris Tsalaxa, the house patriarch, runs his operations from a walled villa just outside the city-state inthe Fields of Plenty. Lax guards patrol the grounds,but their boredom is not an invitation for skulduggery. The estate has magic wards, myriad traps, andhidden guardians all designed to make short work ofenterprising thieves.

THE GIFTDraj’s outer city, the Gift, sprawls between a wideouter moat crawling with cilopses (large psionic centipedes) and the walls that surround Two Moon City.The Gift is as vulnerable as it is crowded; most Drajicitizens call this area home. It is a tangled mess ofnarrow, twisting streets and squat mud-brick homes.Since space is limited, many homes are stacked ontop of one another, and owners climb wooden orrope ladders to reach the upper levels. Small, squarewindows allow some breeze, but many families spendtheir evenings on the homes’ flat roofs.

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Flower War Field: The great field fronting theGolden Moon Gate hosts an annual contest known asthe Flower War. Warriors from clans all over the Giftdress in full battle regalia, as colorful as the blossomsthey trample. They fight one another in free-for-alls,duels, and team matches, pounding their rivals withstone clubs. The best might win a place among thejasuan knights. The worst face shame or exile, withmost winding up as corpses in the ditch.

Bountiful Market: One of the few open areas inthe Gift, the Bountiful Market is as far as foreignerscan venture into Draj without permission from themoon priests. This colorful bazaar, positioned at theend of the Avenue of Conquest, hosts traders andvendors from all over the known world. Establishedmerchant houses keep their emporiums and warehouses along the market’s edges. Grains and textilesdominate the trade here, but there is also a growingpottery market.

House of the Mind: The House of the Mind isthe preeminent psionic institution in the Tyr Region.Students from the Seven Cities come to study at theacademy, which is led by its headmaster, Ixtabai theBlind. Tectuktitlay takes pride in the House of theMind and shows an unusual interest in its affairs.

Two MooN CiTYThe heart of Draj is Two Moon City, surrounded bywalls 60 feet tall. Here, the sorcerer-king passes thecenturies among his best warriors, his most loyalpriests, and his most valuable treasures.

Golden Moon Gate: Only one gate grants accessfrom the Gift into Two Moon City. Positioned at theedge of a red brick plaza, Golden Moon Gate consistsofmassive wooden doors inlaid with silver traceryand glittering obsidian. Jasuan knights monitor thegate, and slaves spend long hours polishing andscrubbing the doors to maintain their impressiveappearance. Beyond the gate is the Avenue of theMoons, a long, dark tunnel that runs to the Palace ofGladiatorial Combat, where gladiators are paradedbefore their matches, and on to encircle the Fatherand Master Temple.

Temples ofRal and Guthay: Dwarfed by theFather and Master Temple, but no less beautiful,are twin temples on either side of the entrance toTwo Moon City. Each structure is a lavish shrinewhere citizens make offerings to the moon gods andbeseech their blessings. The shrines also serve as themain barracks for the moon priests.

Royal Menagerie: Tectuktitlay collects creaturesand stables them in a large park inside Two MoonCity. The specimens range from the curious to thehorrific. The jasuan breeding pens are the sorcerer-king’s special pride; he works to replenish the fierceambush drakes that once hunted the Fields of Plenty.On occasion, Tectuktitlay orders the moon priests toturn certain creatures loose in the streets, and anywayfarer unfortunate enough to encounter thembecomes one more sacrifice.

Palace of Gladiatorial Combat: This arena is agrand amphitheater-style coliseum with a spaciousfloor. Tectuktitlay’s likeness appears everywhere asbas-reliefs and friezes capture the sorcerer-king’s mostcelebrated achievements. The residents of Draj canobserve the games from comfortable balcony seats.

Tectuktitlay has a habit of discarding slaves, functionaries, and anyone who displeases him from theheight ofhis temple, which abuts the arena. The falling bodies splatter and break as they smash againstthe arena floor and the statuary of the sorcerer-king.Tectuktitlay forbids the moon priests from removingthe corpses; their broken remains serve as a reminderof his power.

FATHER AND MASTER TEMPLENearly 300 feet high, the Father and Master Templedominates Two Moon City. The structure is anenormous step-pyramid that serves as palace andtreasury. A bloody altar crowns the top, which is thesite ofTectuktitlay’s unrelenting sacrifices.

The temple contains over twenty levels betweenthe ground floor and the peak. The lower levels holdadministrative offices and the sorcerer-king’s throneroom. Barracks, slave quarters, kitchens, and storagechambers fill out the middle. The upper levels arethe residences ofTectuktitlay, his concubines, and hismany children. Vaults in the highest levels hold thesorcerer-king’s treasures, protected by bitter cursesand magic wards.

THE BLACK GUARDTectuktitlay fears no thief, for the constructs knownas the Black Guard protect his innermost vaults andchambers. Created centuries ago, each of these obsidianmonstrosities stands nearly 15 feet tall and resemblesthe sorcerer king. legend holds that Draj could once fieldan army of these constructs, but in the last century or so,no one has ever seen more than five at a time when thesorcerer-king parades them through the city.


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ESTUARY OF THE FORKED TONGUE“I’ve known giants to move the shoal markers, hoping thata silt skimmer might strand herself in deep silt. Then they’llkill you and eatyou, or they’ll chargeyou halfyour cargo topull you out of the silt. Not sure which is worse.”

—Nimora Hestian, Balican skimmer captain

A great arm of the Sea of Silt that nearly slicesthrough the Tyr Region, the Estuary of the ForkedTongue is home to dozens of small villages, tradingposts, and nomad camps. This inlet reaches well overfour hundred miles from the isle ofWaverly at itsmouth to the trading town ofAltaruk at the head ofits northern arm; the city-state of Balic sits near themidpoint of the Forked Tongue. The estuary serves asa trade route for silt schooners out of Balic, and manyof the villages and tribes here fall under the influenceof Balican merchant houses.

Life along the estuary is more or less free of theoppression of the sorcerer-kings, but it is hardly easy.Marauding giants, deadly predators, dust storms, anddesperate bandits make the Forked Tongue as dangerous as any other place on Athas. Savage raidingtribes roam the outskirts of the region and sometimesattack small, weakly defended villages and outposts.For this reason, most Forked Tongue settlements areprotected by strong walls and determined warriors.

FORKED TONGUEBACKGROUNDSThe people of the Forked Tongue include every racecommon to Athas. Human villagers and merchants,dwarf miners and artisans, elfnomads, and goliathtribesfolk live along its shores. Along the northernedge of the Endless Sand Dunes roam the Tamwar,fractious tribes ofnomadic human and genasi herders. Given the trade that passes up and down theestuary, characters native to this area are likely totake on employment with various merchant housesand could end up anywhere in the Tyr Region.

Associated Skills: Acrobatics, EnduranceLanguage: Dwarven or GiantMerchant/Trader: You are (or were) employed

by a Forked Tongue trading post, perhaps as a localguide, as muscle for a major merchant house, or asan independent trader. Maybe you became involvedin a feud between rival merchant houses, or perhapsyour post was plundered by raiders. Were you a clerk,a mercenary, or a laborer? Do you still have contactswith the house that employed you?

Ruin Gleaner: Countless small ruins litter thelands around the estuary. You search out the placesof the ancients and pick through the dust and debrisin search of something worth selling. Do you knowof sites that no one else has ever found? Did you find


something too valuable—something that powerfulpeople took away from you?

Village Speaker: You come from a remote estuary village where the moods of the elemental spiritsare a matter of life and death. You might have beenapprenticed as a child to the village elder or spirit-talker, or perhaps the spirits chose you later in lifebecause of a traumatic event. Do you treasure yourgifts, or are you haunted by them? What led youto leave your native tribe or home village? Are youdriven by powers beyond your control, or are you ahumble healer?

GIANT HOLDSMany giants inhabit the isles of the estuary. Some arefriendly, but most giants regard smaller folk as easy pickings and waylay travelers at every chance. Hill giants,stone giants, and beast giants are the most common oftheir kind found along the Forked Tongue. The differentkinds get along well enough if a strong leader is present,but they fall to bickering and feuding otherwise.

Giant holds might be cave complexes, ruined towns,or clusters of large, crude mud huts, and they are usuallysurrounded by thorny brush walls that form palisades. Atypical hold is home to three to twelve giants; monstrousvassals such as brohgs, goliaths, minotaurs, or ogres;beasts kept as pets; and a handful of miserable thralls(usually dwarves, elves, or humans). Chiefs of giant holdstake titles such as “king” or “lord” and levy tribute fromnearby tribes or settlements of lesser races.

EXPLORING THE ESTUARYThroughout most of the estuary, a belt of shallowslies beneath the silt, hugging the shoreline. Usually,the shallows are a few hundred yards wide, but insome spots they extend for miles out from the shore,providing hidden paths across narrows or to distantislands. These shallows are too deep for human-sizedtravelers to wade, but silt skimmers and giants canmanage them easily enough. Most skimmer captainstake on paying passengers, but they rarely stop anywhere except well-known villages and trading posts.After all, a skimmer is a rich prize, and the bestdefense is to keep moving and remain in silt that istoo deep for most raiders to cross.

At Balic, the estuary splits into two great arms—theNorth Fork and the South Fork. The North Fork islarger and more heavily populated, its shores dottedwith tiny villages and outposts.

DRAGON’S PALATEThis narrow island consists of a single range ofhigh,steep mountains. The north face sees a lot of rainfallby Athasian standards, and thin streams cascade

down the slopes to form mudflats in the dust. Balicmaintains several small, well-protected forts on thewestern end of the island to guard against the giantsof the Dragon’s Palate, but these outposts are oftenattacked. A beast giant known as the Skull Wearer isthe most powerful of the island’s chieftains. He makeshis home in an ancient minotaur stronghold knownas Marrowgate, which lies in the mountains near thecenter of the island. The Skull Wearer is said to bepossessed by the ghosts of the skulls that hang aroundhis neck, and he wields dangerous magical powers.

LEDOPO1USThe twin towns ofNorth Ledopolus (population1,000) and South Ledopolus (population 2,000)sit on the shores opposite the island of Ledo. Manydwarves live in these towns, and they are engaged ina great project—the construction ofbridges to spanthe northern fork of the estuary and replace the siltskimmer ferry. The dwarf Bruthambar, chief of theRockcutter clan, is the head builder and master ofthe towns. He is a pugnacious ex-mercenary whosebluff good cheer is wearing thin after years of setbacks and obstacles. The hill giants that inhabitLedo, a key stepping-stone for any bridge across theestuary, have already torn down two previous bridging attempts. The giants believe that the bridge is ascheme to gain access to their island’s valuable flintdeposits. Attempts to bribe them into allowing theconstruction have proved fruitless. Competing merchant houses make the situation even more difficult.The Wavir and Inika trade posts in Ledopolus favorthe bridge, but the head of the Tomblador outpostsecretly fans the giants’ fears.

MOUNTAINS OF THE TEETHA low range of dry, knife-edged peaks, the Mountainsof the Teeth are home to hostile tribes of tareks andminotaurs. The mountains also hide several mysterious, ancient monasteries—the strongholds of rakshasa

princes. Ranging out from these isolated retreats,rakshasa spies roam the Tyr Region, secretly plottingto turn the sorcerer-kings against one another andenslave the city-states.

S1REN’S SONGAn evil power haunts this island in the South Fork.Travelers who come too close sometimes fall underthe spell ofa strange, beautiful song that calls themto the isle. However, the silt surrounding the islandis too deep for most creatures to wade, so many victims lured by the song blunder out to their deaths inthe dust. Most people assume that a terrible monstermakes its lair on the island, but the truth is strangeryet: The Lands Within the Winds lie near to Athashere. Hidden in the fey echo of the island is the eladrinhold of Caeral Vhismyr, domain ofNaemon sil Vhismyr, the Veiled Prince. The deadly song is part ofamaze ofmirage and enchantment that eladrin mageswove long ago around the shifting borders of the LandsWithin the Wind to guard their isolated realm.

WAVERLYIn the center of the large isle of Waverly is anancient city of the same name that fell during thewars of the Red Age. The battles depopulated thecity, but its high stone walls and gates remain stoutand whole after thousands of years. The centralplaza features a grand fountain of marble fashionedin the likeness of a creature that has the body of afemale human and a snakelike tail; the fountainstill sprays water into the air in a shimmering arc.Old waterways crisscross Waverly, feeding a fertilescrub plain. Dozens of sailing ships lie half buried ina harbor at the shore of the silt; their wooden hullsand decks became petrified long ago.

Except for flocks ofwild erdlus and hives ofwildkanks, the island appears deserted. But according tolegend, a staggering hoard of silver lies buried in atreasure vault somewhere beneath the city.

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THE FOREST RIDGE“Paradise on top of the world, my leftfoot! Are you such afool thatyou believe every slave rumoryou hear? If it weretrue, don’t you think we’d all be living there instead of inthis dusty pit?”

—Dura Mandic, Tyrian glass crafter

Rumors and reports filter across the Tablelands, whispers about a vast and untamed wilderness beyond theRinging Mountains where rain falls every day andtrees grow so tall and thick that the sun struggles toshine through the canopy. Most Athasians doubt thatsuch a fantastical place could exist on their dyingworld, but exist it does. Beneath the mighty peaks ofthe Ringing Mountains is the Forest Ridge, a regionunlike any other on Athas. It is a wild, verdant land ofdense jungles choked with vines, bracken, brambles,and countless species of animals and plants. Hereone can find a glimpse of the world as it should havebeen.

But for all its abundance, wonder, and plentifulwater, the Forest Ridge is no haven. The dim lightshining through the tangled boughs does little toreveal the dangers lurking in the shadows, hiddenbehind beautiful colors. Competition in the jungle isfierce, and the denizens must adapt or be devoured.Deadly predators both animals and plants camouflage themselves in a hundred ways in the densecanopy and undergrowth.

Like much of the rest ofAthas, the Forest Ridge isfilled with ruins. Dizzying mountain roads, mightycolossi, and hidden citadels carved by ancient handslie unexplored in the jungles, remnants of a long-losthalfling civilization.

FOREST RiDGEBACKGROUNDSThe most notorious inhabitants of the Forest Ridgeare the halflings, who gather in tiny settlements scattered through the jungle like dewdrops. They thrivein the perilous forest, ambushing anyone they deemto be interlopers. They use poisoned weapons, boobytraps, and strange magic to confound and kill theirenemies. Those who fall into halfling hands arerarely seen again.

Associated Skills: Nature, PerceptionAcclimated Trader: You grew up as a trader

dealing with the halfling tribes and were introducedto the Forest Ridge by an older relative or a mentor.You are a friend to one or more halfling tribes andconsider yourself as much a native of the region asthey are. Who first brought you to the Forest Ridge,and why? Do you still have the trust of the halflings?What lessons have you learned from the jungle?

CHAPTER S Atlas of Athas

Liberator: Too many halflings have found themselves enslaved by the wicked sorcerer-kings, and it istime to free them at last. Have any ofyour friends orfamily been taken? Do you know who troubles yourtribe and how those enemies found you? How do youplan to free the oppressed halflings?

Spirit Guided: The jungle spirits whisper in yourdreams, warning about a coming cataclysm. Will thecatastrophe affect your people, or those living in thelands below? Are the spirits aggressive or friendly?Do they frighten you? Have they always spoken toyou, or is this communication a recent development?

HALFLING TRIBESScores ofhalfling tribes dwell in the jungle. Thesehalflings are an ancient people with a rich culture,far removed from their reputation as primitive cannibals living in squalor. The halflings of the ForestRidge hold a special reverence for the primal spiritsof the land—which are more numerous and awarehere than anywhere else on Athas—and see themselves as the protectors of the forest. In every tribe,powerful shamans and druids stand close to thechieftain.

Halflings are not all bloodthirsty cannibals.Some tribes consist of murderous savages who gleefully devour travelers, but others are open to tradingwkh lowlanders who treat them with respect. Mosthalflings are wary of outsiders and jealous of theirterritory (sometimes lethally so). A typical tribe haslittle contact with people from beyond its forestrefuge, so it regards uninvited travelers who blunderinto its territory as fair game for the stewpot.

Usually, the halflings seek to capture intrudersalive and present the exotic catch to their village andking. The more reasonable tribes give their prisonersa chance to explain why they shouldn’t be eaten; themore savage ones torture their captives for sport.

THE FOREST COL SS1The Forest Ridge’s eastern marches are protected by achain of colossi half buried in the jungle, great statuesthat anchor an ancient primal ward against defiling magic.Halfling shamans say that their ancestors created theward to safeguard their homeland from the ravages of theCleansing Wars, and that to this day the defiler kings ofthe lowlands cannot defeat it. If the ward still functions,it does not appear to prevent typical defiling magic fromworking. However, defilers in the Forest Ridge often findthat the jungle turns against them. Savage predators, carnivorous plants, and deadly snares beset those who usedefiling magic in the Forest Ridge.

154 ~

EXPLORING THEFOREST RIDGEThe Forest Ridge is more properly described as agreat plateau or highland. Most of the region lies at anelevation approaching 10,000 feet, and the air is 30to 40 degrees cooler than in the lowlands of the TyrRegion. The Ringing Mountains intercept the prevailing westerly winds and the little moisture they carry.As a traveler climbs from the Tablelands through thepasses of the mountain range, walls of clouds bunchup behind the peaks ahead, and the rumble of thunder echoes in the distance. Farther west, the ridgesteadily descends thousands of feet to meet the scrubplains of the Western Hinterlands, and the climategrows progressively hotter and drier until the treesfinally give out.

OGoThe town of Ogo is home to a prosperous tribe ofabout four thousand halflings. At its heart stands amassive, ruined step-pyramid that has stood for aslong as the town lorekeepers have recorded. A shrineat the base of the structure houses the Spirit Oracle,a female halfling druid ofunknown abilities whospends much ofher time in deep communion withprimal powers. Such is her reputation that even individuals from beyond the Forest Ridge seek out herfar-seeing advice.

The remainder of Ogo is composed of a scatteringof stone and wooden buildings amid open-air plazas.The halflings here sometimes deal with outsidersand are less likely than other clans to grab visitorsand tie them up for dinner. Every year, King UrgaZoltapl sends a levy of two hundred halfling warriorsto King Hamanu in Urik in exchange for a shipmentof obsidian weapons and tools. The warriors whochoose to return to Ogo after their stint in Urik havea more cosmopolitan view of the world, and since thisarrangement has been ongoing for the past few years,hundreds ofhalflings in Ogo share this experience.

THE CRYSTAL FORESTThe trees and plants in this section of the Forest Ridgewere transmuted to translucent mineral centuries agoas a side effect of a battle between an arcane defilerand a druid. In the years since, many of the tallesttrees have fallen and shattered, creating a field ofrazor-sharp crystal spikes across the few square milesof this lifeless zone. Creatures made of conglomeratemineral shards stalk the Crystal Forest and sometimes venture beyond its edge, searching for prey.

At the center of the region stands an obsidian plateau that hosts a ruined cliff dwelling. Ghost windsand spirits howl about the plateau, and ancient magicwards yet burn. Those who stand atop the plateaufind their flesh slowly hardening to lifeless mineraland must flee before the change becomes complete.

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TEMPLE OF THE SKY SERPENTThe top five or six “steps” of a great pyramid rise outof the jungle here; most of the structure remainsburied beneath the forest floor. The pyramid is usually sealed tight, but persistent explorers occasionallybypass its magic wards and gain entry. Invariably,they report a maze of stone tunnels that seems to goon forever, opening onto empty chamber after emptychamber. But when the two moons ofAthas align ina certain way above the pyramid’s apex, the sealedentrances gape wide, issuing forth green light andhypnotic music. At such times, yuan-ti priests emergefrom the Temple of the Sky Serpent to practice abominable rites atop their shrine, and yuan-ti war partiesrange far into the surrounding jungle.

KOL-TUKULGA plume of ash swirls over Kol-Tukulg, a dramaticvolcano in the Forest Ridge. At most times, themountain is quiet, but now and then, the cloud of ashand smoke pouring from its apex swells alarmingly.When this occurs, nearby halfling tribes mount anexpedition to the summit and throw several livingsacrifices into the caldera. They believe that thismethod is the only way to quiet Kol-Tukulg of theFiery Tread, a terrible elemental creature that lairs inthe fiery caverns of the volcano that bears its name.Ancient wards ofprimal magic trap the mighty beingin the mountain, but the defenses have weakenedover the centuries, and the elemental grows restive.


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GULG, THE FOREST CiTY“You think you act in secret, but theforest ghosts see all thatoccurs beneath their boughs. There are no secretsfrom theOba. She has sent me to show you the truth of this.”

—Chachak-Ke, judaga

Many of the sorcerer-kings claim (or have claimedin the past) to be gods upon Athas. In Guig, thatassertion is made not by the sorcerer-queen of thecity-state but by its residents. Ask any Gulgan, andhe or she will tell you: Lalali-Puy, Queen of Gulg, isthe Oba, the Forest Goddess, the Mother ofTreesand Beasts, and a dozen more epithets besides. Thisdeclaration is no empty platitude mouthed to avertthe baleful eye of the templars—the people of Gulgsincerely believe that their ruler is divine.

Guig is a city only in the loosest definition of theterm; it consists of a cluster of forest villages enclosedby a single wall. Most buildings are made of thatch ormud, and roads are little more than trampled earth,worn down by the feet ofgenerations. Guig is roughlydivided into small communities called dagadas,each ofwhich comprises ten to fifty huts. A dagada isenclosed by a mud wall or wooden fence and is builtaround one or more wells shared by the residents,

Lalali-Puy is an absolute monarch in the purestsense: All property in Gulg is hers, and she holds theultimate power of life and death over all citizens,from the lowest slave to the greatest judaga warrior.

GULGAN BACKGROUNDSThe dagada is the core unit of Gulgan society. Theterm refers to both a physical village and its collective inhabitants. Most dagadas are a cross-section ofGulgan culture; hunters, artisans, and even slavesidentify with their dagada first and their city-statesecond. Layered across the patchwork of dagadas isa second set of divisions known as Peoples. A Peopleis a unit that falls somewhere between a dagada andan extended family. Many dagadas are composedof members of only one or two Peoples, but somedagadas have citizens ofmany Peoples. Each of thePeoples has its own dagafari, an ancestral lodge orshrine built in the branches of an agafari tree wheretheir elders gather to discuss important matters.

Associated Skills: Insight, StealthEnlightened Seer: You exhibited talent in the

Way and were taken from your family to study inthe seer dagada. Were you equal to the testing andinstruction, or did you fall short? How have yourexperiences with the seers altered your perceptionsabout the Oba? Do you still view her as a goddess, orperhaps as something less?


Paper Wasp: You were a member of the PaperNest, a clandestine society of advisors and confidantsto the sorcerer-queen. Taking their name from thepulpy nests ofwasps, group members create thepaper used by Lalali-Puy and her scribes, while alsosecretly convening to advise the sorcerer-queen onmatters regarding Gulg. Do you still serve the Oba,and if so, what is your mission? Have you ended yourservice, and if so, why did you leave?

Judaga: You were a headhunter, an esteemed warrior in your community. Because warriors make upthe noble class of the dagadas, you enjoyed great freedom and lavish luxury. All warriors must undergothe Forest Walk, wherein they encounter forest spiritsafter depriving themselves of food and water. Whatdid you learn on your sojourn? What sort of spiritbecame your totem? How does it reflect or influenceyour personality?

GULG AT A GLANCEGulg persists as it always has: simple, unchanging, andevoted to its queen.

Population: The smallest of the city-states, GuIg has apopulation of only 13,000 within the city wall, plus smalloutlying dagadas in the nearby forest and plains. Nearlyall Gulgans are human, with elves, dwarves, and muls asthe largest minorities. A small thri-kreen community iscounted among the judagas.

Waten Most individual dagadas have a well for theircitizens. The Oba maintains cisterns throughout the cityfor the use of residents; by law, all Gulgans are entitledto water. The cisterns are not guarded—fear of the terrible curses placed by the nganga to punish water thievekeeps the citizens honest.

Supplies: Any items beyond simple stone or bonetools and weapons are difficult, if not impossible, to findin the city-state. This supply problem is due to Gulg’sprimitive culture and its draconian trade laws. As part ofits isolationist policies, GuIg places heavy restrictions ontrade with the outside. Merchants from outside the wallscan trade only with the city-state; buying from or sellingto individual citizens is strictly forbidden. Nonresidentscan buy and sell goods from the merchant house emporiums by the Queen’s Gate, but except for House Inikafew maintain much stock in GuIg.

Defense: L.alali-Puy can count on the devoted serviceof more than two thousand judagas to meet any threatsto GuIg. In a dire emergenqc thousands of militia couldbe raised from the dagadas. Most young adults in the city-state have some familiarity with the spear and bow.

Inns and Tavems~ Outsiders usually settle for the merchants’ lodges or the travelers’ dagadas outside the citywall. Within GuIg, most dagadas have a few empty guesthuts, but such accommodations are rarely made availableunless travelers are known and trusted by the dagada.

156

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GULG’S POWER STRUCTURELalali-Puy maintains a stranglehold on all politicalpower in the city-state. She handpicks a circle of advisors and works through them to govern civic affairs.Her templars the dreaded nganga—remain apartfrom the citizenry, vigilantly guarding Guig fromthreats both internal and external.

Despite her totalitarian rule, the Oba is beloved bymost ofher people for three reasons. First, all citizensof Gulg are entitled to the fruits of the city: Grain fromthe meager client farms, produce from the forest, andmeat from the dagadas’ herds are distributed to allcitizens more or less equally. Second, every citizen hasthe right to appeal to the queen directly; in any dispute, a Gulgan can request an audience with the Obato let her resolve the issue. Although citizens sometimes wait months or years for an audience, everyrequest is heard eventually. And third, the personalpower of Lalali-Puy is seen as GuIg’s chiefdefenseagainst the larger city ofNibenay, its bitter rival.

THE JUDAGASGulg does not have a landed nobility in the samemanner as other city-states; agriculture is not prevalent, so owning property is not a sign ofwealth.Instead, the noble class of Gulg is a meritocracy ofhunters. Known as judagas, these privileged warriors

~ also serve as the heart of the army, although Guig~ rarely goes to war openly.

The term “judaga” means “headhunter” and refersto the hunters’ practice of taking the heads of theirenemies as trophies. The templars of Gulg know aritual that can trap the soul of a deceased warrior inits own skull, and the dagadas of the greatest huntersare adorned with such undead guardians. Judagashave no land or titles to pass on to their descendants,but they compete fiercely for trophies and rich spoilsto buy wives, slaves, livestock, and houses full of luxuries that their families can enjoy for generations. Aprominent judaga’s family remains wealthy and influential long after the individual’s death, and younghunters descended from renowned judagas are likelyto become judagas themselves.

THE NGANGAGuIg’s templars are unlike those of the othercity-states. They do not serve as judges, priests, ormembers of the city watch. Instead, they are secretivewitch doctors known as nganga, mystics who lurkat the edges of society and protect Gulg from magical, spiritual, and moral threats. Lalali-Puy’s grimtemplars are seldom seen walking the streets. Rather,they leave indications of their presence only in theaftermath: A dissenter’s family might vanish in thenight, the only evidence being odd footprints and atrail ofblood leading into the forest.

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The nganga stand apart from Gulgan society.Upon becoming a nganga, a Gulgan is no longer amember of his or her People or dagada—in fact, adagada holds a funeral for a newly chosen nganga,acting as though the recruit has died. Thereafter, thenganga never ventures into public without coveringhis or her face, either with a fearsome wooden maskor with paint suggestive of a skull, a cilops, or someother terrifying monster.

THE QUEEN’S SCRiBESSince the templars of Guig remove themselves fromordinary affairs, the city’s administration falls toscribes who attend the Oba in her palace. They cometo the job from many different dagadas and Peoples.Higher-ranking scribes wield authority similar tothat enjoyed by senior templars in other city-states.The magical and moral duties of the nganga andthe day-to-day governmental concerns of the scribesrarely overlap.

THE OBA AND THEPRIMAL SPIRITS

Unlike the other sorcerer-kings, who maintain that primalmagic is a sham, Lalali-Puy teaches her people that theprimal spirits of the Crescent Forest are real—and thatthey hate the residents of Guig. Primal spirits, according to the Oba, are embodiments of pure evil, and onlythe might of the queen and her templars hold them atbay. Because primal magic is the best means by which tocoerce and control these vicious spirits, many of GuIg’stemplars are shamans or druids who cruelly enslave thespirits serving them.

Primal practitioners who do not subscribe to thequeen’s teachings should keep their reservations to themselves The Oba’s templars are swift to seize and condemnanyone who questions their use of magic.

EXPLORING GU1~GTravelers bound for Gulg follow a wide stone tradewayfrom Altaruk along the north arm ofthe Estuary oftheForked Tongue. At the eaves of the Crescent Forest, thestone road gives way to a hard-packed dirt causewaycalled the People’s Road. The city-state of Guig standsin a large clearing inside the borders of the forest.

Rather than earth, stone, or wooden fencing, Guig iswalled by a tightly woven hedge of razor-sharp brambles 20 feet high, known as the Mopti Wall. Guards inwoven grass armor and fearsome animal masks patrolthe wall and monitor the gates that provide ingressinto the city. By decree ofthe Oba, all outsiders mustenter the city through the Queen’s Gate, to which thePeople’s Road leads. The Hunter’s Gate is reserved forthe use ofthe judagas and any warriors in arms (in therare event that Gulg goes to war). Common citizensand slaves use the People’s Gate.


The fourth gate, called the Exile’s Gate, is used forthe banishing of criminals. This gate is opened in thenorth wall when a templar performs a ritual to createa temporary opening in the Mopti Wall. In addition, those who wish to leave Guig can exit throughthis gate when it is opened and no templar will raisea hand to stop them, but no one can enter the citythrough the Exile’s Gate.

THE M0Pri WALLGuig’s city wall is a magically infused hedge of sharpthorns that seeks the flesh of anyone who attemptsto climb or tunnel through the brambles. The wallencloses all of Gulg’s dagadas except for those outsidethe city that have been set aside for use by travelers.Elite judagas guard the three permanent gates in thewall (and the Exile’s Gate, when it is open); headhunters also patrol the grounds outside the dense hedge.Inside the wall, wooden scaffolding allows archers tofire out over the top of the fortification.

The Queen’s Gate: Located at the terminus of thePeople’s Road, the Queen’s Gate is the first sight ofGuig that greets most travelers. For many visitors, it isthe only part of the city-state they ever see.

The Travelers’ Dagadas: These dagadas aresmall clusters of thatch huts surrounded by a six-footclay wall (DC 15 Athletics check to climb, Break DC20). Since they are beyond the Mopti Wall, thesedagadas are allowed to conduct business with outsiders, making them the most likely accommodationsfor visitors who lack contacts in Guig. The travelers’dagadas are outside the bounds of the Oba’s law andthus popular targets for thieves and swindlers. One ofthe dagadas serves as the city’s small Elven Market.

TRAVELERS’ DAGADASNotable travelers’ dagadas in GuIg include the following

Dagaous: The “House of Outsiders” is one of the morereputable travelers’ dagadas outside the Mopti Wall. Fivecp will buy a bowl of vegetable stew and a hut for thenight.

Kaponome Dagafari: The “Ancestral Tree Home forthe People Without Ancestors” offers cheap beds andcheaper meals, and the dagada is located far enoughfrom the People’s Road to be popular with those seekingto avoid the attention of the templars. The owner has astanding arrangement to allow the Salt Stealers tribe ofelves to rob guests during the night.

Dagamhouti: The “House of Charity” is the onlypublic dagada within the Mopti Wall. It circumventsthe sorcerer-queen’s law against lodging or trading withoutsiders by providing its services free of charge. In addition, the owner’s daughter shops for legal goods in GuIg’smarket and presents the items to the guests as gifts. Trayelers are strongly encouraged to reciprocate in kind, lestthe owner’s sons set upon them once they leave the city.

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The Queen’s Trading House: By the sorcerer-queen’s decree, this small, unwalled cluster ofmerchant house emporiums and wooden warehousesis the only place in Gulg where outsiders can trade.Even so, visitors can buy and sell only among themselves or with the government of the city-state. HouseInika, the only merchant house that has a significantpresence in Gulg, deals primarily in luxury items,such as furs, beads, feathers, and spices. Still, for thetraveler in need, the Trading House is the only legaloption in the vicinity of Gulg.

THE CITYGulg’s dagadas crowd against one another amidtwisting roads, small dusty squares, animal pens,and groves of trees. The city-state has no districtsother than the dagadas themselves, and most outsiders can’t find their way around without help from aresident.

Drum Circle: According to Gulgan superstition,stories have an innate magic like no other. Storytellers (including minstrels and bards) are respected fortheir ability to connect the people to their past andfeared for their ability to twist a story to a dark andpainful end. Behind the earthen walls of the dagadaknown as the Drum Circle, storytellers, black magicians, poisoners, and other malcontents congregate bynight. Sensible folk stay away from the Drum Circle,lest they be snatched up by the tales and never seenagain. Still, for adventurous types who have the rightcontacts, this dagada is a good source ofblack-marketimplements, poisons, and services of ill repute.

Shrieking Skull: This dagada near the Hunter’sGate is reserved for the judagas that constitute Gulg’snobility. A fence of close-set wooden poles, sharpenedat the top, surrounds a collection of longhouses thatare larger and more ornate than most dwellings inthe city-state. The dagada takes its name from thedozens of humanoid skulls that festoon the perimeter.Some are mounted on stakes buried in the earth,others hang from the fence on leather thongs, andtwo prominent half-giant skulls cap the woodenposts that support the gate. Each skull was taken inbattle by one of the judaga residents and magicallyprepared by GuIg’s templar shamans to contain theghost of its former owner. These angry spirits guardthe Shrieking Skull dagada against anyone who triesto enter without permission.

Field of Spears: Gulg has no arena. Instead, gladiators meet on the Field of Spears, an open area nearthe center of the city-state. Warriors form a wide ringaround the combatants to keep them from fleeing,while spectators clamber onto walls or roofs for abetter view. Gulgans favor one-on-one battles, pittingtwo warriors against each other or a lone combatantagainst a savage beast of the forest. It is common for ajudaga to enter the field to display his or her martial

prowess. In addition, prisoners are executed in theField of Spears, and slaves occasionally fight to thedeath for the amusement of the crowd. -

KEN-KENTU VEK,THE ADDER WHO DANCES

Drum Circle PersonalityOf all the sinister figures who frequent the Drum Circle, j—

Ken-kentu Vek is the most feared. A powerful magician ~jand master of the killing arts, he can be hired by anyone —J

who has the coin to pay and the stomach to solicit hisgrisly work. Vek’s favored method of execution is toimmobilize his quarry with a poison blowgun dart,then slay the victim in an agonizing ritual. Currently,Vek is embroiled in a long-standing feud with the warchief Mogansho.

SUNUGHT HOMELocated in the heart of GuIg and visible from everydagada in the city, Sunlight Home is the dwelling

~ofLalali-Puy. This small wooden palace rests in thehighest branches of an agafari tree that has beengrown to titanic size through the queen’s magic.Few Gulgans ever see the inside of Sunlight Home(except those who request an audience with the Oba),but Lalali-Puy makes frequent addresses from herbalcony. When she makes such an appearance, thepeople of GuIg crowd the roads and clearings aroundthe palace to cheer their goddess.

The nganga make their huts in the lower branchesof the agafari tree, shaded by the massive limbs thatsupport Sunlight Home. The queen’s palace is brightand beautiful, but the templars’ huts are forebodingand grim, often decorated with ghoulish embellishments—bones, desiccated trophies, barely visibleguardian spirits, and the like. The common folk avoidso much as looking at these huts when they passunderneath, and even the judagas tread lightly whentheir business requires a visit to the nganga.

BONE VIllAGEDeep in the Crescent Forest, beyond sight of theMopti Wall, lies Bone Village. This profane grove isLalali-Puy’s personal mystic laboratory, where shecarries out ghastly rituals to expand her power andpunish her enemies. The grove has been a placeof execution since the time of the earliest Gulgantribes. Ancient druids worked rituals here thatbound the souls of the slain into the earth. As long astheir bones remain within the grove, the tormentedsouls linger, unable to pass on to their final fate.Few aside from the Oba have seen Bone Village, andwhispered tales say that angry ghosts and boundspirits destroy anyone who ventures here without thequeen’s blessing.


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THE iVORY TRiANGLE“I strangled my owner with the leather rope thatfrtteredme, andfled into the desert withoutfood, water, or weapon.I nearly died. The Triangle is a hard land, and I may dieyet. But I promiseyou that I’ll diefree.”

—Tol Thamar, escaped mul slave

Lying in the center of the Tyr Region, the Ivory Triangle is a crossroads and a wasteland. Most of the areais desolate, home only to monsters and desert raiders,but it sits astride the trade routes from the cities ofRaam and Draj in the north to rich Balic in the south.Every day, gigantic mekillot-drawn argosies and fleet-footed kank or crodlu pack trains make their wayacross the blistering salt flats. The rival city-states ofGuig and Nibenay are found in the Ivory Triangle;they lie in a narrow verdant strip along its northernedge at either end of the Crescent Forest—one of thelast lowland forests on Athas. The sorcerer-queenLalali-Puy rules as a goddess over the forest city ofGuig, and the sorcerer-king Nibenay, also known asthe Shadow King, holds dominion over the ancientmetropolis that bears his name.

The Ivory Triangle consists of the Great Ivory Plainand the surrounding lands. It extends from the NorthFork of the Estuary of the Forked Tongue to the ruinsof Giustenal on the Bay of Maray in the northeast andthe Salt Meres in the southeast. Outside the verdant


belt supporting the Crescent Forest and the city-statesof Gulg and Nibenay, only a handful of small villagesand outposts are scattered over this vast area. Mostare forts manned by garrisons hired to protect minescaravan stops, or other resources from raiding bandsand monsters, and to repair any facilities that aredamaged by storms. Battlefields and wrecked sitesdot the landscape as well—some recent, others so oldthat no one remembers who fought there or why. Inaddition, the Triangle holds raider tribes, slave villages, haunted ruins, and other mysterious locales.

iVORY TRIANGIIBACKGROUNDSPeople from all over the Tyr Region live in the IvoryTriangle; it has a reputation as an open frontier wheryou can make a fortune ifyou’re tough, smart, andhandy with a blade. Mercenaries working for themerchant houses bring customs and beliefs fromtheir homelands, which mingle with those broughtby slaves from far-flung territories. Folk of all thecivilized races roam the waste, and bands ofhalflingsand thri-kreen can be found in the wilds.

Associated Skills: Endurance, PerceptionLanguage: Deep Speech

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Beleaguered Sentry: After spending years protecting a crumbling fortress from raiders, storms,and monsters, you set out to find a new life. Did youdesert your employer, or did you part ways when yourcontract ended? Where did you serve? Did you makeany allies or enemies? What will you do now?

Driven Bounty Hunter: You hunted slave andcriminal alike, chasing down those on the run andbringing them back to face justice. Are you still in thisbusiness? If so, whom are you hunting now? What didthey do to deserve your attention? Ifyou aren’t bringing in fugitives, why did you stop?

Hardened Traveler: You have crossed the IvoryTriangle more times than you can count, each tripmore harrowing than the last. Are you a merchant, aguard, an envoy, or a raider? Do you have any favoriteor most despised stops? If so, what are they, and why?

Wanted in the Seven Cities: You have earned adeath sentence that you can’t shake. With few placesleft for you to run, the Ivory Triangle seemed as gooda hiding spot as any. How have you eluded yourpursuers so far? What did you do to gain so manyenemies? Have you worked with a raiding band, or doyou hide under a false identity?

EXPLORiNG THEIVORY TRIANGLEThe dominant feature of the Ivory Triangle is theGreat Ivory Plain, a salt flat stretching for hundredsof miles. Although the fiat is nearly uninhabitable,it offers travelers a smooth, level passage from oneend of the Triangle to the other. Dune traders andnomadic tribes skirt out onto the flat to make goodtime, but they stay close to the edges so they can takeshelter in the surrounding terrain when the sun hammers down on the glistening white plain.

THE CRESCENT FORESTThe Crescent Forest lies along the southern curveof the Stormclaw Mountains. This thickly forestedexpanse is the most fertile and well-watered areain the Ivory Triangle and perhaps in the entire TyrRegion (aside from the Forest Ridge). During themonths of Sun Descending, rain in the StormclawMountains waters the forest with runoff. During thedry season, deep springs scattered throughout theeasterly foothills sustain the area. The forest is thickest in the south and center; it thins considerably inthe north because of logging from Nibenay and thedry winds blowing through Bremil Pass.

At one time, the Crescent Forest might haveextended the entire length of the verdant belt, but noone can say for sure. The recent history of the foresthas been shaped by the centuries-old rivalry betweenNibenay and Gulg; the hunters of Guig skirmishfrequently against Nibenay’s foresters. For now, the

judagas of Gulg keep Nibenay’s lumber camps limited wto the northern end of the forest, but the increasing ~j

scarcity ofwood in the Tyr Region—and the corre- Zsponding value of large logs—lures the woodcuttersdeeper into the forest.

The Lostspears: For years, Gulg’s sorcerer-queen >~

Lalali-Puy has sought to build a force ofhalflingslave-soldiers to serve as scouts and assassins against 0Nibenese soldiers in the Crescent Forest. Halflings ~are woodwise beyond all but the most skilled judaga whunters. However, haiflings do not take to slavery ~well, and some of the Oba’s slaves have vanished intothe forest. The Lostspears are a small tribe of aboutfifty escaped halflings who wander the forest’s central region, a threat to Gulgans and Nibenese both.

Temple of the Eye: Beyond the bounds ofNibenay’s farthest logging camps sits a crumbling,vine-choked ruin, a former temple of a forgotten darkgod. The image of an enormous, hideous eye is carvedinto the wall above the black stone altar. Nibenesetemplars tend the temple day and night, slayinganyone who happens upon the site, but they neverenter the unexplored catacombs belowground. Well-guarded slave laborers spend their days chiselingstone carvings from the temple’s ancient walls, andteams ofbearers ferry the carvings back to the Naggaramakam, the dominion of the Shadow King. To whatpurpose Nibenay puts these carvings, none can say.

Witchgrove: In the deepest part of the Crescent Forest lies a stretch of forest that appears to bealive. Strange eyes watch from the undergrowth,and the trees seem malignantly aware. Here in thiswood, called the Witchgrove by those who encounter it, the Lands Within the Wind lie near to Athas.When travelers blunder into the area, strange,hateful fey creatures fall upon them and sometimesspirit them away.

DRUIDS OFTHE CRESCENT FOREST

A loose organization of druids watches over the CrescentForest, protecting the woods from logging, overhunting,and defiling. The Crescent Circle is made up of a dozenor so hermits, escaped slaves, and Gulgan outlaws. Mostkeep to themselves in the deep recesses of the forest,but others spy on judaga hunting parties or try to driveNibenese loggers back to their own city. The druids areallied with the handful of treants who guard the forest’smost sacred sites.

The chief of the druids, a stern, gray-bearded Gulgannamed Barazin, was once a nganga (templar) in the service of LaIali-Puy. In his younger years, Barazin enslavedand tormented primal spirits with his arcane magic, buthe came to see through the Oba’s lies about the forestspirits and abandoned GuIg to serve them instead.

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CROMUNOriginally a trading post created by House Shorn, thevillage of Cromlin has prospered despite the declinein its founder’s fortunes. The silt sailors of Cromlinhave charted hidden paths through the treacherousdust of the Bay ofMaray, giving them easy access tothe villages on the bay’s northern shores. Light cargoes bound for Raam or Draj (or heading southwardto Nibenay) can go by silt skimmer, shaving weeks oftime from the normal journey.

Although House Shom still runs Cromlin, at leastnominally, the village’s unique position means thatShorn’s leaders overlook most infractions that donot affect the house’s profits. Stealing from Shorn’semporiums brings harsh punishment, as does raidinga caravan heading to or from the village, but it’s fairgame to rob unaffiliated travelers or attack caravansthat pass through the Black Spine Mountains. Theselax laws make Cromlin a haven for smugglers, slavers,pirates, and elves—rogues and scoundrels ofall sortscall the place home.

The principal source of entertainment in Cromlinis the inn known as the Dirty Lizard. Jaksot Han, athickset mul of middle years, owns the place. Han isa former silt pirate, and his common room attractsa similar clientele. Bar brawls occur daily at theLizard, and according to commonly held wisdom,a patron isn’t considered a regular until he’s beenthrough a fracas.

G1USTENAI.Forty miles east of Cromlin lies a ruin largely forgotten by most ofAthas. Rumors in the Ivory Trianglespeak of Giustenal, a crumbled city on the far side ofthe Black Spine Mountains. Silt skimmers passing bythe Bay ofMaray steer far out on the shoals and givethe city a wide berth, seeking to pass by swiftly andin daylight. Brave souls who venture near find a mazeofwalls and broken ramparts encircling Giustenal,many winding down into the silt for hundreds ofyards. Silt horrors thrive beneath the dust here.

Within the maze, the city is halfburied in silt. Itappears deserted, and its ruins show evidence of aterrible sorcerous battle fought here long ago. Giustenal was destroyed swiftly but never sacked; the fewlooters who have raided the city claim that a greatdeal of treasure still lies in the ruins.

No people are known to linger nearby, but dangerous beasts lair in the remains of the city. From time totime, travelers passing by in the desert report feelingthe lure of a psychic presence calling them towardGiustenal. All that is known about this mysteriousspirit, referred to as the Caller, is the effect it has onits victims—trusted companions go into a shrieking,violent fit, killing pack animals or fellow travelersbefore fleeing into the desert, heading straight for theruined city. Even those touched only lightly by the


Caller’s power speak of feeling an unnatural desire topass through the gates of Giustenal and be consumed.Some say that the Caller is the collective remnant ofGiustenal’s long-dead populace, trapped on Athasby the mystical turbulence stirred up by the city’sdestruction. Others believe that the Caller devoursthose it lures into the city, adding their souls to itsown tormented legions.

DREGOTH, THE UNDEADSORCERER-KiNG

A dreadful secret lies beneath Giustenal’s dusty streets:The sorcerer-king of this destroyed city still exists in asubterranean network of caverns and tunnels. OnceGiustenal was a city-state as grand as Tyr or Nibenay, ruledby its powerful sorcerer-king Dregoth. Here, Dregothforged a new race of followers—the dragonborn, or dray.But almost two thousand years ago, the other sorcerer-kings conspired to kill Dregoth, fearing his growingstrength. The resulting magical duel turned Giustenalinto a vast tomb. In the end, Dregoth fell dead, and hisopponents left the ruined city to the desert. But with thelast of his power, Dregoth made the transition to undeath.The Dread King has secretly gathered his few survivingtemplars and slaves underground. Now, after all thesecenturies, the undead Dregoth schemes to take his placeas ruler of Athas.

THE MEKIIIOT MOUNTAINSThe Mekillot Mountains are an old, low-lying rangein the center of the Great Ivory Plain. A series of long,domed monoliths of spectacular orange, they resemble nothing so much as a line of titanic mekillots. Thenorthern cluster, known as the Greater Mekillots,is higher, and the southern cluster (unsurprisinglycalled the Lesser Mekillots) is more broken and jumbled. A narrow ring of badlands and stony barrensseparates the rounded mountains from the surrounding salt plain. Old mines and the odd Green Age ruincan be found here, along with fierce tribes of escapedslaves, hungry monsters, and bands of cruel, two-headed giants that raid the surrounding outposts forfood and captives.

Echoing Mine: Nestled in a valley in the MekillotMountains, this ancient silver mine might holduntapped riches. Many expeditions have sought toreopen the Echoing Mine, but all have discovered totheir cost how the place earned its name. Hook horrors, grimlocks, and other light-hating subterraneanmonsters infest the tunnel system. The mysteriousclicks that echo through the mine are the rapid, high-pitched sounds these creatures use to navigate andcommunicate.

Salt View: The village of Salt View is home toa raiding tribe founded by the half-elfXaynon, anescaped gladiator from Raam. Its population has

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grown to the extent that raiding alone can no longersustain it. Over the last year or two, ex-slaves from allover the Tyr Region have come to Salt View for sanctuary, drawn by rumors of a place where they canstart new lives. Most of them lack skills that mightbe useful to raiding parties. Still, the new citizenshave brought one intriguing talent to the village:performing. Many former slaves who received training in dance and theater have organized into touringtroupes, which now travel the roads of the IvoryTriangle and perform for coin and trade goods. TheSalt View troupes are valuable sources of intelligenceregarding happenings around the region.

KORSK, SALT VIEWNALCONTENT

Not all the gladiators and soldier-slaves who founded SaltView are pleased with the idea of becoming a simple trading village known for its performing troupes. Many wouldrather abandon the village’s dead weight in the desert—orbetter yet, use the actors as fodder and throw them at caravan guards—and return to the raiding lifestyle they knowand understand. Korsk, a dwarf who fought with Xaynonin Raam’s arena, is the most vocal member of this faction.He is secretly arranging an attack by Nibenese slavers thatwill carry off many of Salt View’s “useless” citizens whenhe and his raiders are safely away from the village.

BODACHOne of the grandest ancient ruins on Athas, Bodachlies amid the maze of salt marshes, dry sinks, and siltbasins known as the Salt Meres. From miles away, itstowers can be seen rising above the reeds. Long ago,Bodach was a city ofgreat magicians, and mightyarcane secrets still wait to be discovered in its wreckage. However, few treasure-hunters dare to explorethe impressive ruins. A terrible fate befell the city inthe days of the Cleansing Wars, and now it is hauntedby thousands of skeletons, zombies, and worse. Theundead emerge each night at sunset in a vast horde toscour the surrounding countryside for living prey.

BEASTBARRENSAt the eastern end of the Great Ivory Plain lies ableak region known to nearby nomads as the Beast-barrens. Few people have reason to come this way,and those who do rarely linger long before retreating, for the Beastbarrens is a cursed land. Here, anunknown, baleful power warps desert predatorsinto freakish monstrosities; they sprout extra limbs,their hands or paws grow into daggerlike claws, scalyarmor covers their skin, and worse. New terrorswander out of the Beastbarrens every few days orweeks to fall on caravans and outposts in the eastern

~ reaches of the Ivory Triangle.

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The Broken Butte: A mazelike system of canyons ~and ravines gouges the flanks of this great hill ofblack stone on the edge of the Beastbarrens. Broken Z

Butte is home to a large tribe of minotaurs known tohave an appetite for raw flesh. The savage minotaursseek to drive travelers into the canyons, then harry >~

the victims until they are thoroughly lost—at whichpoint the beasts descend upon the victims and devour 0them. The tribe sends its fiercest warriors into the ?wastes to undergo physical transformations, viewingthe changes suffered by the champions as the marksof a mad god’s favor.

Pristine Tower: Standing alone in the heart ofthe Beastbarrens, the Pristine Tower is an astonishingly old relic of ages past. Only the sorcerer-kingsand precious few other Athasians realize its truehistory. Most people know only that the tower is astructure of pure alabaster stone rising out of thedesert that has somehow resisted being swallowed bythe sand. Sages and experienced travelers also knownot to approach the Pristine Tower, for it is guardedstill, and a gruesome fate befalls those who cometoo close. Worse yet, creatures that sustain physicalwounds within a few miles of the tower fall prey tothe transformative plague that fills the Beastbarrenswith loathsome monstrosities.

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N1BENAY, CiTY OF SPIRES“Raiders troubling the road to Raam? Unfortunate, Isuppose, but it hardly seems like causefor concern. Doesanything important comefrom Raam? Who would wantto go to Raam, anyway? Ifyou must, send someone to bribesome other band ofsavages to drive them off”

—Sadag, Nibenese noble

Ancient beyond measure, Nibenay is a wealthy, powerful city-state immersed in decadence and intrigue.Most Nibenese regard themselves as the only civilized people remaining in a world ofbarbarism anddesolation; the events that take place outside the citywalls are little more than the squabbles of savages.Even the architecture of Nibenay reflects these prejudices. Splendid statues and carvings cover the walls,public buildings, and private homes throughout thecity, depicting great heroes and honored ancestorsfrom ages long forgotten by the rest ofAthas. Someare works of surpassing beauty, some glorify ancienttriumphs, and others depict shocking hedonism.

Nibenay is ruled by the sorcerer-king who gavethe city-state his name. He is an enigmatic, retiringfigure, rarely seen by anyone but his templars. Deepwithin the royal compound at the city’s heart—theforbidden dominion called the Naggaramakam—Nibenay immerses himself in arcane studies andmysterious pursuits, leaving governance to thebureaucracy of his templars. He is so reclusive thatrumors of his death circulate every few years, givingrise to unrest and feuding among the nobles until heappears and puts to rest any stories of his demise.

NIBENESE BACKGROUNDSThe people ofNibenay expect decorum in all things.Slaves and commoners know their places and showcourtesy and deference to their betters; similarly,people ofhigher standing remain cool and distant totheir inferiors. To demonstrate anything other thancalmness and serenity is to reveal a character flaw.

Associated Skills: Acrobatics, InsightGifted Dancer: The Nibenese see dance as their

gift to the world. The dramatic liaka-ih style featureswhirling dancers in veils, scarves, and ribbons. Thecomedic and bell-wearing priytu ih dancers performfor celebrations and joyful events. Militant, weapon-wielding wriquo ih dancers honor warriors and theirbattles. You have studied the three forms, learningtheir techniques. Which form do you prefer?

Walker of the Exalted Path: The monasteriesof the Exalted Path teach their students to acceptauthority and endure its excesses, for to do otherwiseplaces too much emphasis on the self. One shoulddeny the individual and embrace one’s place as partof a larger whole. You studied this philosophy for a

time. Do you still subscribe to it, or did you abandonit? What attracted you to it in the first place?

N1BENAY’S POWERSTRUCTUREThe city-state ofNibenay is ruled by the sorcerer-kingNibenay, also called the Shadow King. For twentycenturies or more, he has left the city entirely in thehands of the temple bureaucracies, emerging fromthe Naggaramakam only when necessary to lead hisforces to war or crush rebellions against his rule.However, news of Kalak’s assassination has reachedNibenay, causing him to reconsider his habitualdetachment from the city’s affairs. In the last fewweeks, the Shadow King has summoned severalmeetings of the High Consorts’ Council, asking probing questions about the manner in which the groupis governing his city. Similarly, he has taken an activeinterest in the readiness ofhis armies and in theaffairs of the city’s noble houses.

TEMPI AR-WIVESAll of Nibenay’s templars are female. Nibenese tradition dictates that every templar is a wife of theShadow King, although the marriage is purely

N1BENAY AT A GLANCENibenay is an ancient, decadent city-state under the ruleof a distant and mysterious sorcerer-king.

Population: Roughly 24,000 people live in Nibenayproper, with a similar number in outlying tenant farmsand villages. Most of the population is human, with sizable minorities of half-giants, elves, and half-elves.

Water: The city-state sits atop bubbling hot springsthat well up from deep below ground. The noble housesown all the springs, so anyone who wants water mustpurchase it from them.

Supplies: Nibenay is wealthy and extravagant by thestandards of most other city-states. Anything a travelercould want is for sale in the markets, legitimate or otherwise. The city produces timber, stone, spices, nuts, andvarious dry beans (the staple food).

Defense: The Shadow Guard is an elite palace guardof half-giants numbering a thousand strong. The Templeof War supplements these defenders with five thousandjanissaries (loyal slave-soldiers), including small numbersof dray mercenaries.

Inns and Taverns: Numerous inns serve travelers inNibenay, with the highest concentration in and aroundthe Sages’ District. The noble district of Cliffside featuresmore opulent inns for visiting nobles, and those looking tokeep a low profile can find flophouses in the Hill District.Abandoned quarters are scattered throughout the city.


ceremonial for all but a handful of favored or high- High Consort Siemhouk oversees the mystical train- cnwranking templars. At any given time, Nibenay’s wives ing of Nibenay’s agents, including templars, defilers, ~

number several hundred; almost all are humans or and psionic agents. .

half-elves. They form the middle and upper layers of Finally, the Temple of the King’s Law has authority V’)tJan immense bureaucracy that runs the city’s affairs, over crime and punishment in Nibenay. High Con-

This bureaucracy is divided into five temples, each sort Djena controls the secret police, the dungeons,overseeing one aspect ofgovernance. A high consort and the disposition of slaves and prisoners bound for i..,who reports directly to the Shadow King oversees the arena. The temple is also charged with bringing Qeach temple. justice to templars who defy the Shadow King.

The Temple of the House controls most of the day-to-day administration ofNibenay. Under the auspices THE NoBILiTY ZwofHigh Consort Kahalya, this temple oversees the Nibenay’s noble class is renowned for its decadence ~reservoir, the grain supply, public works, and tax col- and indolence. Long ago, the city-state’s nobles were a Zlection. It also manages the lumber camps that raid warlord caste awarded fiefs in surrounding lands forthe Crescent Forest for wood. their service in Nibenay’s wars. Over the centuries,

The Temple ofWar manages the recruitment (or the Shadow King’s templars consolidated militarypurchase, as is more often the case), training, and power in the army, reducing the nobles to the role ofequipment ofNibenay’s armies. The templars appoint wealthy landlords who collect the rents and harvestsofficers to command the army in the field and accom- of their tenant farmers. Much of the land for milespany the troops as advisors and magical artillery. around the city walls, including the Plain of SmokHigh Consort Bamandji, a fierce, middle-aged mul of ing Waters, is divided into a patchwork quilt of nobleimpressive stature, commands this temple. holdings; Nibenese citizens buy their water from one

The Temple ofTrade, under High Consort Rejan, ‘ noble or another. In comparison to Nibenay’s templargoverns tariffs, spending, business licensing, and rela- bureaucracy, the nobles are weak, corrupt, and distions with the merchant houses. organized, but they are exceedingly rich, and their

Ofall the temples, the Temple ofThought is the cultural conservatism is a major contributing factor toleast involved in governing the city-state, overseeing the city’s arrogant, self-indulgent ways.only the state run schools maintained for the nobility.

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EXPLORI G N1BE AYNibenay lies at the foot of a striking cliff, surroundedby a wide field of large, steaming pools and palmgroves—the Plain of Smoking Waters. The most commonly used entrance is the Mekillot Gate. Past thegate, a wide thoroughfare leads directly to Sages’Square, the chief marketplace in the middle of theSages’ District. At the heart of the city-state, dominating its profile, stands the Naggaramakam, theShadow King’s palace compound. This enormous,fortified city-within-a-city is open only to the sorcerer-king and his templars.

Walking the streets of Nibenay is a claustrophobic experience. Most streets are narrow alleywaysframed by buildings with vaulted stone roofs. Thecity’s many stone spires produce a dizzying verticalityin its street layout; sometimes the roof over an alleysupports another walkway above it. With the exception of the High Road and the caravan road from theMekillot Gate, none of the streets is wide enough toaccommodate mounts larger than a crodlu.

SAGES’ DISTRICTMuch to the surprise of first-time visitors, this district is not known for its sages or scholars. Instead, it

contains the homes and businesses of the dynasticmerchant houses. By royal law, no unaffihiated tradercan conduct business or live in this district.

Sages’ Square: In this enormous square of packedred earth, the dynastic houses operate their opulentemporiums. Unlike the markets in many city-states,Sages’ Square never closes except on official state holidays. At anytime, day or night, a prospective buyercan find any manner of exotic goods for sale.

Slave Market: South of Sages’ Square, a rectangular plaza hosts Nibenay’s open-air slave market,which is monopolized by the merchants of HouseShorn. Occasionally, the government sells surplusslaves here, an event that always draws a crowd.

Palm Court: Located down a snaking alleywayfrom the slave market, this meager plaza is the lastrefuge of legitimate traders who cannot afford a storefront but who refuse to sell their wares in the city’sblack markets. A few feeble palm trees stand in themiddle of the square in homage to its name.

POLAN FELI(Polan Felk is a weather-beaten, middle-aged male human.Hard living shows on his face and in the pitiful quality ofthe ceramic pottery he sells from a blanket spread in thesoutheast corner of Palm Court.

Felk is the primary contact in Nibenay for the VeiledAlliance. He remains sequestered because the local faction of the Alliance doesn’t trust outsiders. Thus, the onlypeople likely to find Felk are those who have been specifically sent by the Alliance.


Temple ofTrade: This cross-shaped buildinghouses the administrators of the Temple ofTrade.Anyone wishing to do business in Nibenay mustacquire a license from this temple. The structuresits at the western edge of the Sages’ District, nearlytouching the walls of the Naggaramakam.

Hiu. DisTRiCTOnce the Hill District was the site of a fine palace,perhaps belonging to an ancient prince or king. Todaythat place is a shattered husk, its roof fallen in and itscarved walls collapsed. Ordinary citizens avoid thearea, and not just because of the rumors of hauntingsthat inevitably spring up around ancient ruins. TheHill District is a gathering place for the shadier elements of Nibenese society: cutthroats and cutpurses,poisoners for hire, elves, and black marketeers.

Elven Market: The Sky Singers tribe’s market inthe heart of the Hill District is a small but bustlingcenter of trade and entertainment. The elves maintain the market throughout the year, and elf traderstake turns staying in Nibenay to run it. Recently,all sixteen elves in charge of the market were murdered by parties unknown. Since the killings, theSky Singers have pledged several warriors, under theleadership of a deadly swordsman named AbyuukDawnchaser, to investigate the crime.

RESERVOIR DiSTRiCTThe Reservoir District stretches from the city-state’seastern wall to the western wall. Most of the sprawlconsists of tenement housing for free merchants, poorcommon artisans, and laborers, but it also boasts afew notable landmarks.

City Reservoir: This cistern, a large, low-slungbuilding of clay brick surrounding the ReservoirGate, is reserved for the use of the Naggaramakam.It is opened to the public only in times of crisis. Fromoutside, the only indication of the astounding amountofwater stored within the reservoir is the lush gardenon the building’s roof.

High Road: This wide stone causeway literallyrises above most of the Reservoir District, passing through it at a height of 15 feet off the ground.Only the sorcerer-king and his army can use theHigh Road, which leads directly from the Naggaramakam to the Reservoir Gate and then to the Plainof Smoking Waters.

Exalted Path Monastery: The monastic traditionofNibenay has seen a resurgence in the last few centuries. The monks teach austerity, physical readiness,psionic enlightenment, and the quiet acceptance ofauthority. The Exalted Path is the largest of the city-state’s monasteries, led by a frail old abbot namedThong Nal. Recently, a number ofyounger monkshave rebelled against the centuries-old neutrality ofthe Exalted Path, and they have begun to speak outforcefully against the excesses of the nobility—and theShadow King’s court.

166--Sf

WESTERN DisTRicTOccupying most of the western side of Nibenay, theWestern District has a reputation as a rowdy and violent part of the city where templars go in force. Thedistrict is predominantly filled with poor artisans,but a small mercantile neighborhood has sprung uparound the West Gate.

Shrine of the Sun: The five so-called temples thatrun Nibenay are not religious organizations; genuine houses ofworship in the city-state are known asshrines. Of them, the Shrine of the Sun is one of thefew that practices openly. It is the center of faith anddevotion for a fire cult that has grown popular amongfree citizens. The High Priest of the Sun, a half-elfnamed Fedarramin, offers his shrine’s services in thecollection and disposal of dead slaves—for a smalldonation. The intensity with which he promotes thisservice has raised some eyebrows among the nobility.

Academy ofFierce Purpose: Run by the TempleofThought, this school provides a comprehensive,ifbasic, education to the children of the city-state.Nominally, the academy is open to all free citizens,but the tuition is so exorbitant that only the offspringofnobility attend regularly. Some well-to-do free families scrape up the funds to send a child to the school,and occasionally the Temple ofThought sponsors thedaughter of a free family, with the understanding thatshe will become a templar and wed the Shadow Kingon her sixteenth birthday.

Arena: Nibenay’s arena is unique among the citystates in that it has been excavated from the ground.The highest (and thus worst) seats are at ground level,with the better seats descending into the pit. According to popular rumor, the Shadow King maintains alabyrinth of tunnels beneath the arena, stocked withdeadly beasts and murderous traps. On special occasions, the templars turn prisoners loose in this maze,and if they survive to reach the arena and defeat itscurrent champion, they are pardoned and freed.

CUFFSIDELying in the shadow of the Crescent Forest, Cliffsideis the most prosperous noble district in the city state.Many of its manors are carved directly into the cliff’sface, creating a honeycomb of opulence and power.Slaves scurry to and fro, ferrying water up from thenobles’ springs in the Plain of Smoking Waters, anddignitaries from the merchant houses stroll throughthe streets to see and be seen.

Serpent Tower: This enormous stone edifice provides access to mansions carved in the rock wall thatoverlooks the city’s north side. The tower resembles atangled mass of snakes and has walkways extendingto each noble house, as well as to the wall that crownsthe top of the cliff.

House Shorn Villa: Although its mercantileinterests reside in the Sages’ District, House Shommaintains a lavish walled compound at the foot of the

great cliff. Once the villa was the hub of a thrivingbusiness empire; today it is better known for GiovvoShorn’s decadent celebrations, which put to shame theworst excesses of the Hill District.

THE NAGGARAMAKAMAt the heart of Nibenay lies the Naggaramakarn, thedominion of the Shadow King and his ternplars. Toenter it means death for anyone outside the royal“family,” and what goes on behind its walls is the subject of many hushed rumors.

Templar Quarters: Large portions of the Naggaramakam hold living quarters for the Shadow King’stemplar wives. The quality of these accommodationsranges from comfortable if spartan barracks for thelowest ranks up to small palaces for Nibenay’s seniorand most favored wives. Each templar lives in herquarters and cohabitates with her “husband” only oninfrequent occasions.

Temple ofThought: Templars who wish to honetheir mystical prowess subject themselves to schooling in this temple. Under the harsh tutelage of thepsionic prodigy Siemhouk—a human girl of onlyfifteen, said to be a special protégée of the sorcerer-king—students learn deadly arcane and psionicsecrets.

Royal Palace: Within the walls of the Naggaramakam, another fortification 50 feet high surroundsthe private grounds of the Shadow King. Above theinner wall, the tops of enormous agafari trees canbe seen rising out of the king’s gardens. The palaceis sculpted in the shape of the Shadow King’s head,and thousands of sculpted female forms, each carvedto resemble one of his templar wives over the centuries, form columns that appear to be locks of hishair. Inside the palace are numerous comfortablyappointed chambers and dark mazes filled with thefog of incense and the hypnotic chanting of templarsreciting their devotions.

DNOJAKT~ PRINCE OF NIBENAYAccording to whispered rumors, the Shadow King hasa son, Dhojakt, who never leaves the Naggaramakambecause he is half monster. Supposedly, Dhojakt’smother—a high-ranking templar—recklessly exposedherself to dangerous arcane energy in an attempt toinfuse her unborn child with physical and magical power.Instead, Dhojakt was born a monstrosity. For reasons ofhis own, Nibenay chose not to destroy the creature. Dhojakt is seen even more rarely than his father is, and mostcitizens consider him little more than a myth. He spendsthe bulk of his time studying the arcane arts and plottingagainst High Consort Siemhouk because he is jealousof the status she enjoys even though she is not one ofNibenay’s offspring.

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CHAPTER 5 Atlas of Athas‘~‘J 167

RAAN, CiTY OF UNREST“Raam is a city exhausted. The land can support it nolonger. There are no treasures left to pluckfrom the earth.The sorcerer-queen? She hides, knowing death waits inevery shadow. The warlords? Petty,feckless, and brutal.Don’t wasteyour water on us.”

—Gaurav, disaffected rebel

Ancient and magnificent, Raam has fallen far from itsformerly wondrous heights. Centuries ofplunderingthe countryside for its resources, rampant corruption in its government, and the rule of a hedonisticand disinterested sorcerer-queen have brought thecity-state to the brink of disintegration. The alabaster quarries and gemstone mines stand exhausted;reckless agricultural practices have led to disastrousfood shortages. In the streets, violent factions swornto one warlord or another battle for control as theonce-vibrant and influential city slips into ruin. Mobsriot daily against their ineffectual ruler, the sorcerer-queen Abalach-Re, and her templars dare not set footin some of the city’s districts.

The present difficulties might have been avertedby a strong hand, but Abalach-Re had less interestin ruling than in feeding her insatiable appetite forpleasure. Generations ago, she abandoned her royaltitle and declared herself to be the representative ofan all-powerful deity known as Badna. Calling herself the Grand Vizier, a title normally held by Raam’sgreatest mystics, she razed the city’s existing shrinesand temples, replacing them with new shrines dedicated to Badna. The deity’s image—that of a grinning,four-armed male dressed in a long loincloth—appearsall over the city-state. Abalach-Re continues to assurethe citizens that Badna watches her closely and willstrike her dead if she falters in her duties, but fewbelieve her anymore.

RAAMITE BACKGROUNDSRaamites are a somber, spiritual people, now given toa certain degree of fatalism. Before Abalach-Re’s “revelation” many years ago, Raamites venerated a hostofmythological figures and held mystics and sagesknown as saddhus in the highest esteem.

Associated Skills: Religion, StreetwiseLanguage: ElvenBadna Dedicate: The Badna priesthood main

tains innumerable shrines and leads the people inprayers to the elusive god who chose Abalach-Re torule the city in his stead. Do you believe that Badnaexists? Did you join the priesthood to secure somebenefit or advantage for yourself or your family? Doyou serve in the priesthood still?

Dedicated Rebel: You fight alongside other disaffected citizens, battling the templars and mansabdarsto oust Abalach-Re and right the city’s course. Were


you recruited, or do you fight alone? Why did you jointhe uprising? Can you move freely about Raam, or areyou hunted for your part in the rebellion?

Honest Mansabdar: The mansabdars, ostensiblycharged with enforcing the laws of Raam, are thugsand criminals more interested in taking bribes thananything else. You served in this dubious organization. How did you persevere in the face of rampantcorruption? Did your colleagues pressure you to letcertain criminal elements go unpunished? Did yourgood intentions cause problems?

RAAM’S POWER STRUCTURECenturies of age have not diminished Abalach-Re’sphysical allure. Her voluptuous figure is as youthful as it was the day she first seized the throne ofRaam. She is the exception to Raam’s rigid castes,largely because she has the power and arrogance toignore them. However, her citizens still view theirruler through the prism of their culture’s stigmas.After five hundred years ofher shocking dalliancesand scandals, sometimes involving individuals of thelowest castes, many Raamites consider the GrandVizier to be unclean and beneath contempt.

RAAN AT A GLANCERaam is a city-state of strife and squabbling factions. Withthe frequent unrest and riots, most structures outside thesorcerer-queen’s palace incur damage.

Population: More than 40,000 people live in Raam,making it the most populous of the city-states. Another40,000 or so dwell in the warlord-dominated estates surrounding the city. Humans constitute less than half thepopulation. Elves and dwarves are the most numerousminorities, and muls, half-giants, and half-elves make upmost of the rest.

Waten Raam draws water from a deep reservoir belowthe city, which provides enough to sustain the populaceand irrigate the fields beyond.

Supplies: Although the renowned mines have beenpicked clean and the current troubles have all but paralyzed trade, Raam retains enough commodities to luremerchants. The city exports silver, gemstones, flint, silk,rugs, art, and textiles, among other goods.

Defense: The mansabdars form the heart of the largestarmy in the Tyr Region, leading thousands of wretchedslave soldiers. In addition, Abalach-Re hoards weapons,armor, and equipment in an enormous armory beneathher palace.

Inns and Taverns: With the city’s trade in disarray,many inns and taverns have closed, their buildings joiningthe scores of empty, shuttered shops. A few determinedplaces remain open near the city gates, where they compete for increasingly rare customers.

Over the nearly thirty generations that she hasruled Raam, Abalach-Re has taken many mates andborne scores of children. She has little affectionfor her progeny, discarding them or keeping themdepending on her mood. Those she abandons at birthare given to one of the noble nawab families andraised as foster children. Abalach-Re’s hundred or socurrent living descendants, known as the Offspring,dwell among the citizens. Many of the Offspringmanifest unusual magical or psionic talents; it isrumored that Abalach-Re manipulates her childrenwith sorcerous energy before they are born, and thatthey pass their unpredictable gifts to their own children in turn.

The residents of Raam exchange whispered talesabout the purpose behind the Offspring. Some saythat Abalach-Re grows old and wishes to move herintellect into a younger version ofherself. Othersbelieve that she is preparing for a great ritual thatrequires the aid of scores ofpeople sharing her potentbloodline. Still others claim that she cannot die aslong as at least one of her children remains alive.

TEMPLARSAbalach-Re has comparatively few templars. Whenshe has need ofnew ones, she performs divinationsto discover young citizens who might be suited forwielding magic. Then she removes the candidatesfrom their families, regardless of caste, and trainsthem to serve her. The templars take new names andexist outside the caste system, like their mistress.

Raam’s templars are not bureaucrats; the city-statehas many ranks of officials that oversee civil administration. Instead, the templars serve as the eyes andears ofAbalach Re, representing the Grand Vizier’sinterests and instructing officials and functionariesin her will. The current disorder and strife in Raamhas made it dangerous for templars to walk the streetswithout armed escorts. Many barricade themselves intheir estates, ignoring their duties to their queen.

MANSABDARSThe mansabdars are Raam’s police, city watch, andsoldiers. They are a mundane part of the civil administration, supervised as needed by the templars. Theirmain duty is to enforce the Grand Vizier’s laws, buttheir ranks teem with corruption. Most mansabdarsare on the payroll ofwarlords or wealthy merchantsand spend their time watching out for their patrons’interests. Other mansabdars shake down commoners and artisans in their districts, work for criminalgangs, or arrest whomever they’re paid to arrest.

Given the malfeasance of the mansabdars and thebreakdown of templar authority, Abalach-Re reliesmore and more on the kuotagha—an organization ofsecret police—to enforce her will. Like the mansabdars, they are an arm of the civic government, looselyoverseen by the templars. Little better than assassins,the kuotagha hide among the populace, striking without warning to eliminate undesirables.


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NAWAB WARLORDSRaam’s nobles are known as nawabs, families ofhighcaste that have amassed wealth and property over thecenturies. From their estates (which are fortified withmercenary guards), the nawabs wage war againstone another to crush opposition and rally supporters. Each family is an armed faction, and all are littlebetter than bandits, demanding tolls from anyoneseeking to use the roads crossing their lands.

Each mansabdar, mercenary, criminal gang, andcommoner in Raam swears allegiance to one of thenawab warlords; to do otherwise is to risk enmityfrom all. The leading warlords include Nawab Maarham, a human demagogue who is virtually a crimelord with control of the gangs in the poorer quartersof the city; Nawab Urdun-Mor, a militant dwarfwho controls the arena and many mansabdars; andNawab Shialha, a female elfwith strong ties to elventribes outside the city.

EXPLORING RAAMExtensive irrigation combined with the waterbeneath Raam’s holdings have transformed thenatural scrubland into a rich, verdant area ringingthe city for miles. At its height, Raam rivaled Draj ingrain production, and its date orchards were secondto none. Now, many fields lay fallow, burned, and

RAAM’S CASTESEach Raamite belongs to a caste, and most remain intheir social class until death. Custom disallows marriagesbetween those of different castes; even casual interactionsbetween such individuals are brief and irregular. Fromhighest to lowest, the castes are as follows.

Priest: Mystics known as saddhus hold the respectof all Raamites. However, their esteemed rank has beencompromised by the less worthy priests of Badna.

Nawab: This caste consists of the noble warlordfamilies.

Vizier: Viziers include public servants, bureaucrats,and other officials. All viziers wear colorful silk robes todenote their office. Abalach-Re refers to herself as theGrand Vizier, although she does not consider herselfrestricted by traditional caste boundaries.

Warrior: Mansabdars, mercenaries, and other soldiersbelong to this caste.

Merchant: Those who buy and sell goods created byothers belong to this caste.

Laborer: The laborer caste includes common artisans,farmers, herders, and other poor free citizens. This casteis by far the most populated and most disaffected.

Slave: The slave caste is unusual in that upon gainingfreedom, a former slave can assume a new caste.

Unclean: The most wretched caste is known as theunclean. Any who make their living handling carcassesor corpses fall into this category.


salted, the work of raiders and warring nawabs. Suchdestruction has led to food shortages, driving upprices for the most basic foodstuffs.

The Road of Kings and the Nibenese Road leaddirectly into the city from the west, south, and east.Noble estates front these roads, each one a small fortress replete with steep walls, turrets, and garrisonsto protect the households within. Most nobles try tocollect tolls from passersby. The crude huts of fieldslaves lie clustered in squalid hamlets between theestates. The three great ways meet at the plaza wherethe Circle Market stands, near the middle of the city.

NATURAL ARENA OF RAAMThe rumpled land north of the sorcerer-queen’spalace is barren, unfit for cultivation, yet Raamitestravel nearly a mile across narrow pathways to watchgladiators duel for their lives in the arena. The arenafloor is small by other city-states’ standards, boundedon one side by a steep hill pocked with veiled observation balconies and on the other by a great chasmcalled the Maw. Raamites take seats just across thechasm to ensure that no would-be saboteurs interfere with the games or make an attempt against theGrand Vizier’s life.

GHOST CITYGrowing like a boil against Raam’s eastern wall is theGhost City, home to the unclean. Morticians, butchers, tanners, and every other unpleasant industry setsup shop here. Those in the Ghost City cannot escapefrom the unclean caste, but at least they are not indanger ofbeing enslaved.

The Crematory: Smoke rises day and night fromthe Crematory, a huge building made ofyellow claybricks stained with soot. Collectors make roundsthrough the city, piling up bodies to bring back herefor burning. Greasy ashes rain down from the blackclouds, painting swaths of the Ghost City white andgray. Raam’s chapter of the Veiled Alliance secretlyconvenes beneath the Crematory under the leadershipofNanda Shatri, a capable and determined femalehuman ofthirty-five years. Despite the fact that she isone of the Offspring, Shatri is a powerful preserver.

COINS QUARTERA prosperous area in better days, Coins Quarterlies in the eastern portion of Raam. Civil unrestmakes trade difficult if not impossible, and the once-fabulous quarter has become a gathering of armedencampments built around the merchant houses ofthe city-state.

Gallery of the Seven Stars: Years ago, HouseM’ke built a museum meant to celebrate the cultureand the inestimable statues ofRaam—and also to display the power and influence of the merchant house.A large garden surrounds the gallery; the destituteand diseased beggars who sleep in the tall grasseskeep visitors away from the wonders in the building.

170

Office of House M’ke: House M’ke anticipatedthe decline of Raam and spread its fortunes to theForts Firstwatch, Istus, and Xalis, all arranged outside the city-state. The familial estates still commanda large part of Coins Quarter, but defense is far moreimportant than resuming commerce. Currently,house patriarch Truvo M’ke conducts business fromthe safety of the forts while his heir, Rogil M’ke, oversee the family’s holdings in Raam.

TEMPLE QUARTEROpposite Coins Quarter under Raam’s western gateis the Temple Quarter, the spiritual center of the city-state. Small shrines devoted to the thousand spirits andpowers venerated by Raamites crowd the wide thoroughfare that wends northwest through the city to theQueen’s Hill. Each shrine boasts idols, mosaics, andfriezes depicting the city’s pantheon. Scattered amongthese older structures are the upabadnas, the shrinesdedicated to Abalach-Re’s dubious sponsor, Badna.

Garden of Benevolence: If there’s one thing allRaamites agree upon, it’s respect for their elders. Toease the aged into the spirit world, the city-state sponsors a home where old people can spend their finaldays in peace, comfort, and meditation. The honor ofentering the Garden ofBenevolence is bestowed onlyupon members of the proper castes, of course; elderlycitizens of lesser status must fend for themselves.

Schools of the Way: Those who demonstratetalent in the Way can earn a spot in one of the psionicacademies along Ascetic Row. Many of these schoolsare small, but a few, including the prestigious Psiumarkh, tutor more than a hundred students at a time.Rival academies include the Psionoramh and theYellow Monastery.

OFFIciAL QUARTERThe center of Raam is dominated by a sprawlingcomplex of administrative buildings courts, recordshalls, mansabdar barracks, and more. Most of thetemplars sequester themselves in secure palaces inthe Official Quarter, where they are guarded by well-paid mercenaries or magically controlled monsters.

Circle Market: In a wide plaza where the Roadof Kings meets the Nibenese Road, the city market ofRaam and the Elven Market set up shop, with no distinction between them. Once, this space would havebeen filled with the booths and displays of hundredsof merchants and artisans, but in these days, much ofthe Circle Market remains empty. Locals peddle whatgoods and materials they can, but the market is moreimportant today as a meeting place and a skirmishground between nawab warlord factions.

Low QUARTERThis large, sprawling district in the southern part ofthe city-state comprises many neighborhoods, noneof them very well off. More Raamites live in the LowQuarter than in the rest of the city put together, and

its narrow, twisting streets lead to residential communities, trader quarters, slums, and marketplaces, witha few shrines scattered here and there. The simplebuildings are constructed ofwood in the nicer areasand daub-and-wattle in the worst. The last centuryhas been hard on the Low Quarter, and whole sections stand in ruins. Rubbish clutters the walkways,and homeless citizens take what shelter they can find.

Us1-1Uc1-{-s1The work of the renowned sculptor Ushuch Si gracesevery city-state in the Tyr Region. His great talent mightearn him sponsorship in another community but heseems content to live among the people of Raam. Fewknow that Ushuch-Si is a leading activist and rebel. Hebelieves that the Offspring hold the key to overthrowingAbalach-Re, and he has compiled a secret genealogy ofthe sorcerer-queen’s descendants.

QUEEN’S HILLCommanding a view of the entire city-state is Queen’sHill, a steep, grassy ridge in the northwestern cornerof Raam. Recent troubles have seen the hill’s elegantgardens and quiet pools replaced with imposingwalls, breastworks, and bristling ditches.

Ivory Palace: The Grand Vizier’s palace is thejeweled crown atop Queen’s Hill. A fabulous citadelconstructed of ivory and alabaster, studded with gemstones, and inlaid with silver tracery, it is a testimonyto Abalach-Re’s excess. The palace contains over ahundred rooms, including great halls, ballrooms,kitchens, bedrooms, treasure vaults, and more. Onstill nights, the sounds of revelry from the palacedrift down to the resentful people below. Beneath thesorcerer-queen’s dwelling, extensive caverns househer prized silk wyrms.

Royal Barracks: At her generals’ insistence, theGrand Vizier permitted the Royal Barracks to bemoved inside the defensive perimeter, not far fromthe gate that grants access to Queen’s Hill. One thousand of her best and most loyal soldiers bunk here.

Hall of Conquest: Behind the palace is a giantmilitary complex where the Grand Vizier’s warriors perfect the fighting arts and train to becomeher finest warriors. The complex includes smallerbarracks, indoor practice fields, archery ranges,an armory (almost the equal of the one below thepalace), and offices for Abalach-Re’s military advisors.

Consecrated Sepulcher of Badna: Abalach-Rehas taken many paramours over her long life, andshe has outlived them all. She entombs the remainsof each consort in a vast mausoleum next to a stonepath that ascends to the doors ofher abode. Flutedcolumns mark the entrance to the crypt, and alabaster statues sculpted by the esteemed Ushuch-Si adorneach vault, carved to preserve the lovers’ featuresacross the centuries.

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RiNGING MOUNTAiNS“The high places are notfor the weak. Alreadyyou gaspforbreath, and your head swims with dizziness—and it appearsthat the Kra-Hnurdha have picked up your trail. Perhapsthis would be a good time to return to the lowlands.”

—Mikus, Ringing Mountains anchorite

The mighty Ringing Mountains, the greatest mountains known on Athas, form the western borderof the Tyr Region. The highest peaks in the rangereach more than 20,000 feet in elevation, and eventhe lowest passes are a good 12,000 feet above thelowlands. Despite the brutal heat and aridity of thedeserts below, a glimmer of snow and ice clings tothe highest spires, visible from a hundred miles away.The high vales are home to reclusive monasteries,isolated clans ofmountain herders, tribes of fiercegoliath and tarek raiders, and a wide variety of dangerous predators such as rocs, kirres, and braxats. Nosorcerer-kings have tried to conquer the rich ForestRidge that crowns the mountains, and for goodreason. The cold and the thin air are brutal on soldiers, the passes are impossible for heavy wagons andlowland draft beasts, and the forest is protected fromdefiling by the ancient primal wards of the haiflings.

Despite these daunting obstacles to invaders, theRinging Mountains are thinly settled. Haiflings, andthose who trade with them, use secret roads andhidden passes to reach the lowlands. Vicious raidingtribes ofgoliaths and other warlike races lurk in thewild fastnesses of the peaks. And, as in most ofAthas,monster-haunted ruins lie scattered through themountains, tempting explorers to try their luck.

RINGING MOUNTAINSBACKGROUNDSA small number of miners, herders, and nomads livein the lower elevations of the Ringing Mountains,and lonely monasteries and defiler’s towers brood inremote vales. Those few who venture into the mountains typically make their way to the nearest andeasiest pass available, and they do not linger.

Associated Skills: Athletics, NatureIsolated Monastery: You were raised in one of

the monasteries or shrines hidden in the high vales.There you trained in the Way, mastering physical ormental psionic disciplines. Who were your originalpeople? Why did they give you to the monastery?Why have you set out into broader Athas?

Mountain Tribe: Your people were hill folk: herders, mountaineers, and sometimes raiders. Life washard but free—the armies of the sorcerer-kings nevertroubled your village, and you had no one to rely onbut yourselves. Were you driven from your tribe for


a crime? Did you set out to settle a blood-feud withsomeone who wronged your family?

Prospector: A handful of tough, resourcefulminers eke out a living in the Ringing Mountains bydigging for metal deposits. You grew up wanderingthe canyons and foothills in search of elusive preciousmetals. You might have practiced this trade with yourfamily, or perhaps you were sold into slavery andforced into prospecting. Why did you leave this vocation behind? Do you know of a rich vein or a hiddenmine that others might be willing to kill for?

EXPLORiNG THERINGING MOUNTAINSThe Ringing Mountains are much steeper on theireastern face. On the western side, the great plateau ofthe Forest Ridge climbs slowly to its lofty height, butto the east, the peaks rise almost vertically from theTablelands, fronted by a narrow and precipitous rangeof foothills a few miles in width. The mountains confront travelers with great walls of riven rock, tortuousfootpaths, and sheer cliffs that prevent passage.

WALlSSite of the only gold mine known to exist on Athas,Walis is a tiny village atop a high spire of rock withina canyon in the foothills of the Ringing Mountains.A massive cargo bucket let up and down by slaves ina crankhouse tower controls access to the community.

Walls is a client village under the control ofthe city-state of Balic and administered by House

RUiNS FTHE RINGiNG MOUNTAINS

Crumbling towers, abandoned keeps, and forgottencastles dot the ridges, foothills, and clifftops of the Ringing Mountains. Many ruins are in strategic locations, suchas on a knoll overlooking a canyon entrance. Some areempty, and others host monster or raider tribes.

Aside from these visible ruins, ancient mines andsubterranean tunnels spiral through the mountains andfoothills. These underground passages are prone to cave-ins, noxious gas, and dark creatures that make their homesaway from the crimson sun. Some of the mines date backto the Green Age or earlier. The oldest excavations havesmooth, brightly colored walls, and sometimes they leadto underground ruins of peculiar, domelike cities.

All the ruins of the Ringing Mountains hold out thepossibility of treasure, perhaps still recoverable after hundreds or thousands of years of neglect. The riches includebits of metal, psionic artifacts, and tomes imbued witharcane resiliency.

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Tomblador. In addition to Tomblador’s outpost inWalis, two templars of the sorcerer-king Andropinisand a small detachment of legionaries keep an eyeon the village. The Balican templars allow Tombladoragents to do as they wish.

The gold mine lies at the canyon’s throat. Each daya working party ofvillage slaves is let down from thecrankhouse and escorted to the mine under the sharpeyes ofoverseers. The miners produce only a pittanceofgold, but it’s enough to sustain the operation.

Suspicion greets the few visitors who come toWalis. Those whose stories check out can stay in theYellow House, a hostelry and stable maintained at thespire’s foot.

ECHOLESS CAVERNSDecades ago, a human named Mulmehr discovered aparticularly old series of tunnels through the mountains and claimed them for himself. Mulmehr, a scionof the Shahram noble family in Tyr, spent years andmuch ofhis resources modifying the tunnels to usethem in a psionic ritual. He completed his preparations, attempted the ritual, and apparently failed.Many of the tunnels collapsed, and Mulmehr wasnever seen in Tyr again.

Whatever the nature of the ritual, the tunnels havesince gained a reputation as an evil place that drainsall sound from visitors—as well as their willpower andvolition. No one can say what lies at the heart of theEcholess Caverns, where Mulmehr scribed the ritualcircle, because no one has reached that area andreturned to tell the story.

KRA-HNURHome to an aggressive tribe of half-giant raiders,the hold ofKra-Hnur lies in a hanging valley abouthalfway between Tyr and Walis. Crude stone fortifications barricade the path leading up from the valleyto the stronghold. The goliaths keep large flocks ofgoats and erdlus in the high pastures behind theirwalls, along with several hundred thralls of otherraces—captives taken in raids on the lowlands.

The leader of the tribe, a huge, one-eyed half giantwar chief known as the Great Kra, is far more cleverthan his brutish appearance would suggest. TheGreat Kra spent his youth serving in the royal guardofKing Kalak ofTyr, and when he returned home, heseized control ofhis tribe. He despises humans, elves,and other “weaklings,” and he personally leads hiswarriors on raids. The Kra-Hnurdha tribe primarilystrikes at caravans on the Trade Road and isolated villages and outposts in the Tablelands. However, withthe recent chaos in Tyr, the Great Kra has turned hiseye on the client villages clustering within the city’sverdant belt.

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MAUSOLEUM OF SHIIVARMIn the middle of a deep cleft in the mountains northofTyr stands the ruin of a white palace surroundedby golden-brown savanna. Its towers are carved withthe images of strange beasts that no longer exist onAthas—great, long-nosed creatures with tusks andflaplike ears—and its central dome gleams with polished copper. The word “Shiivarm” is written acrossthe palace gates in the ancient Barazhad script of theelemental powers, but no one alive today knows whoor what Shiivarm was, or whether the structure istruly a mausoleum. Demons haunt the vicinity, fallingupon travelers whose curiosity draws them too close.

MOUNT NARRANThe steep slopes of this dark peak are sometimesvisible from the walls ofTyr, especially when witchlights play within its gaping mouths. Tunnels, tombs,and long-looted ruins riddle the mountain’s lowerreaches. On a plateau near the summit stand thecrumbled walls of an ancient githyanki outpost.Today, the only inhabitants of the ruins, the tunnels,and the winding stairs beneath are gith that huntthe Ringing Mountains, ambushing sources of food.The warrens below Mount Narran contain thousandsmore fierce gith. It is said that they revere an oldstatue hidden far below the surface, where they carryout savage rites of blood and sacrifice.

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ROAD OF KiNGS“Road ofKings? Road ofslaves, perhaps. The high andmighty sorcerer-kings squabble likejhakars worrying at acarcass, throwing away armies with all the care ofspoiledchildren. Such are kings on Athas.”

—Alon, House M’ke trader

Far to the north, beyond the Great Alluvial SandWastes and crowning the punishing barrens of theTablelands, stretches the Road of Kings, a war-torn,shattered land defined by the ambitious sorcerer-kings who vie for dominance in the region. Threecity-states dominate the Road ofKings, each straddling the ancient routes. Quarrelsome and greedy,they frequently war with one another, as scorchedbattlefields and countless bones testify in the hauntedlands between them.

In the west, one finds mighty Urik, a proud andpowerful city-state whose armies have no matchamong the Seven Cities. Traveling east, past the Dragon’s Bowl, one comes to the troubled city of Raam,beset by strife and famine. Beyond tragic Raam, farto the east, stands proud Draj. Blessed with abundantfields, Draj supplies food to other cities, transporting grains and hemp to far-flung markets while itsbloodthirsty warriors scour the wilds for captives tosacrifice on their king’s altar. In the empty stretchesbetween Urik, Raam, and Draj, caravan routes,herder trails, and ancient highways link the threecity-states together.

The region takes its name from the ancient Roadof Kings, the route stretching from Urik across thestony barrens to Raam and extending eastward toDraj and beyond. Although the Road of Kings is givento the same desolation as found elsewhere on Athas,the region is bustling and active, crowded with caravans, travelers, and skirmishing armies.

ROAD OF KINGSBACKGROUNDSWhere other cities struggle for basic subsistence,the three cities of the Road supply grain, hemp, andobsidian to distant markets. Dune traders—somehonest, some greedy, and some corrupt—pursue theirfortunes across the barren land. The Road holdsmany possibilities for the cunning and strong, but it isalso a place where the weak are trampled underfoot,doomed by disease, hunger, and want.

Associated Skills: Bluff, ThieveryDruid Initiate: You studied under a guardian

druid who protected a rare oasis, spring, or placeof the spirits in the desert. You were taught to hatedefilers and to use lethal means to prevent yourguarded land from being damaged by encroachers.Your mentor intended for you to take over his or her


solemn vigil someday. What place did you guard?What led you to leave your teacher? Do you intend toreturn and fulfill your mentor’s expectations, or hasthat chapter ofyour life come to an end?

Failed Merchant: Catastrophe brought your enterprise to ruin. Were you affiliated with a merchanthouse? Does this house still exist? What event broughtabout your downfall? Have you abandoned this line oftrade, or do you hope to establish a new house?

Yaramite Descendant: Once your people calledthe ruined city-state ofYaramuke home. WhenHamanu ofUrik destroyed your city, your ancestorswere among the many who fled and took up a hard-scrabble life in the herding tribes or desert villageson the edge of the Broken Lands. What treasures didyour family carry away from the destruction? Are youof noble lineage despite your humble circumstances?

EXPLORING T EROAD OF KINGSMuch like the Tablelands or the Estuary of theForked Tongue, the Road of Kings is dotted withtiny desert villages, mining camps, nomadic tribes,and trade outposts. Most such camps or posts aretent cities surrounded by crude walls formed fromstacked stone, bones, and brush. Others are builtatop hidden wells. Dune traders wander the trailsmeandering through the barrens, swapping goodsand rumors with the folk of the desert. Life in thearid wasteland is hard but not impossible. Travelersin this region are rarely more than a few miles fromshelter, water, and food. The only question is whetherthe desert denizens will bargain to share theirresources or defend them from intruders.

The Road of Kings is plagued by bandits, raiders, hungry savages such as ssurrans or gith, viciousmarauders such as belgoi and braxats, and all sortsof desert predators. These creatures usually givethe city-states a wide berth, but they pose a threatto travelers who go more than a few days’ journeyfrom civilization.

BITTER WELLWho controls water, controls life. The few oases scattered across the wastes were discovered long ago andremain in the hands of those strong enough to keepthem. Prospectors mount forays into the wilderness,scouring the land for new water sources, for any suchfind can make a prince of a pauper. For a long time,travelers approaching the Narrows east of Draj hadheard running water, but no one could track downthe source—not until three years ago, when dwarfprospectors set themselves the task of finding it. Theyuncovered a small spring of cold, clean water emerging from under the rock mantle.

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The dwarves constructed a makeshift encampment and set out to improve their well, believingthey could sell the water to caravans bound for Drajor Eldaarich in the far north. It didn’t take long forthe dwarves to discover that the water was in shortsupply, and that a single caravan could drink it downto a trickle that would take a week or more to recover.In fact, the water isn’t even enough to support thecommunity that has grown up around it—hence thename Bitter Well.

THE NARROWSAfter Draj, a trade road travels east, following theland’s contours until it passes through Bitter Well.For many, this distant outpost marks the world’s end,since few dare travel the ancient road farther forfear of the Narrows. Aptly named, the Narrows is astony strand between the natural Maze of Draj to thenorth and the yawning Sea of Silt to the south. Eachyear, the silt encroaches a little more, threatening toswallow the ancient highway one day. Giants plaguethe area, wading through the dust sinks to snatchcaravans from the roads. The wreckage of splinteredwagons litters the Narrows, testifying to the giants’incredible appetites.

DRAGON’S BOWLA rumpled range of low mountains and highlands inthe stony plains between Raam and Urik conceals a

~ natural marvel: the Dragon’s Bowl, a great cliff-walledcrater more than seventy miles wide. The view from

~ its rim is awe-inspiring, and nothing else in the Tyr~ Region matches its size and scope. The Dragon’s Bowl

T~1E ~I4WTQANT

is an obstacle akin to the Ringing Mountains; sheercliffs between 1,000 and 2,000 feet in height isolateits floor from the world outside. Only a handful ofprecarious trails descend the cliffs. The site takes itsname from legends describing how the Dragon torefree from the world and left behind the deep crater tomark its birth.

The Dragon’s Bowl has a strange stillness, as if theworld holds its breath, awaiting the creature’s return.The feeling intensifies at the bottom, where one findsa mix of rocky debris and hills covering the middle tosouthern reaches. Large herds ofgame animals andpredators thrive in the Bowl, untroubled by the presence of people.

Lake Pit: To the north, the Dragon’s Bowl slopesdown toward a verdant belt surrounding a pristinelake. Lake Pit, one ofthe largest bodies ofwater in theTyr Region, teems with fish and wildlife. The lake’sisolation contributes to its unspoiled character, but thearea also lies under the protection of a powerful druid,the aged mul Enola. He allies with wrathful elementals that tolerate no trespass in these guarded lands.

Lost Samarthia: Legends speak of a lost citysomewhere in the Dragon’s Bowl—a fantastic hiddenplace known as Samarthia. According to varying stories, Samarthia is a buried ancient citadel filled withthe sorcerous science that prevailed in the civilizations of those ancient days, an eladrin city that lies inthe Lands Within the Wind, or a city ofgeniekind orrakshasas concealed by mirage. Many treasure-seekers searching for Lost Samarthia have disappeared inthe area, never to be heard from again.


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ENOLA,GUARDiAN OF THE LAKE

A vigilant guardian druid named Enola protects lake Pit.Eighty years old, the mul is vigorous and hale. Some whohave met him believe he was once a gladiator slave, andhis scorn for the city-states supports this theory Enolais served by powerful elemental spirits, and he tries todrive off or kill intruders who come to plunder or settlethe Dragon’s Bowl. The druid usually spares innocenttravelers, but he keeps a close eye on them, and he askstrespassers to leave only once.

THE GAUNTLETSTwo rugged mountain ranges form the Gauntletsin the east, just beyond Raam. The range to thenorth—the Left Gauntlet, as one looks eastward fromRaam—is considerably older and more weatheredthan the southerly range. Sandstorms have reducedthe Left Gauntlet to rounded domes, split andcracked by great fissures. Raam mined these peaksfor generations, extracting silver and gemstonesbefore the mines played out. Now the abandonedshafts house tarek tribes that prey on small caravansbound for Draj, along with a slave tribe known asKrikik’s Pack.

The steep southern mountains of the Right Gauntlet have proved hardier, forming a barrier against theSea of Silt and preventing its encroachment inland.Many old gypsum quarries that provided alabasterfor the statues and facades of Raam dot their lowerslopes. Tribes ofhejkins and troglodytes have all butdriven out Raam’s stonecutters.

KETSeventy miles northeast ofBitter Well sits the largevillage of Ket, known to dune traders as the last outpost of civilization in this corner of the Tyr Region.The half-legendary cities ofKurn and Eldaarich aremany days’ travel to the north, and trade with thosedistant realms is infrequent. Ket lies in a large mud-flat covered in tall grasses, trees, and brush. A siltbasin surrounds the flat, and a mile-long woodencauseway spans the dust, linking Ket to the Roadof Kings. Ket is a client village ofDraj, and Drajiwarriors stationed here protect the settlement fromattacks by giants.

BROKEN LANDSFar to the north of Raam, the Ringing Mountainsbegin to draw away to the west, slowly marchingoff into a faint brown smudge flickering in the heatmirages. The landscape gives way to rocky badlands,littered with sharp stones and pebbles, whose brokenescarpments and low peaks are hewn into odd shapesby the relentless dust storms that blow across theregion. All manner of terrible creatures infest thetwisting canyons and blind defiles of this jagged,


unforgiving area. No villages or trade posts lie in thesavage wilderness; the Broken Lands mark the northern bounds of the Tyr Region.

DRY MARSHThe city-state of Draj rises out of the southwest portion of a region of salt marshes, scrub plains, dustsinks, and mudflats known as the Dry Marsh. Greatstands of saw-edged grasses and dryreeds sighing inthe wind dot the dusty marsh bed, forming a naturallabyrinth known as the Maze of Draj. Skilled Drajiworkers venture deep into the maze, sometimes onstilts, to cut huge bundles of reeds that can be fashioned into floor mats and light walls by the city’sweavers. In addition, Draji hunters and trappers takean assortment of small game here. Escaped slaveshide in the Dry Marsh, eking out a precarious livingand avoiding the hungry monsters in the area.

PLAiN OF SINGING SKULlSNear the middle of the Maze of Draj is a low mesawhose edges are studded with nearly a hundred stoneobelisks, each decorated with skulls. The skulls havebeen filled with mortar and drilled such that windsblowing through the menhirs produce an awfulmoaning. Draji hunters and reed-gatherers avoid themesa because a large and fierce tribe ofbelgoi longago claimed these lands from whoever raised the obelisks. Some believe that the ruin of an ancient city liessomewhere nearby, and that the belgoi protect thefabulous treasure it must contain.

THE SMOKING CROWNAn ominous range ofvolcanic peaks rising in a ring-like formation north ofUrik, the Smoking Crown isa dangerous land, barely habitable. The peaks belchplumes of steam, ash, and cinders that rain downover everything. Lava sometimes streams from thefissures in the slopes, spilling in fiery rivers down themountainsides. Other fissures vent steam that scaldsflesh or colorless, poisonous gases that kill withoutwarning. Despite the danger, slaves excavate themountains for obsidian and pumice. The quarries arehellish places to work, with unbearable temperaturesand jagged black glass on all sides.

City of the Fire King: Miners tell ofglimpsingdizzying ramparts and sinister gates through theclouds of steam and ash that fill the blasted plateauat the heart of the Smoking Crown. The citadelsreported by the miners are said to be the homes offearsome fire giants, fire titans, and salamanders thatwaylay workers who venture into the Crown.

Lake of Golden Dreams: At the foot of theSmoking Crown lies a strange wonderland of oddrock formations, boiling pools, and bubbling mud,eventually giving way to a steaming lake several mileswide. The Lake of Golden Dreams is the most visitedlocation in this area, for the vapors rising from thescalding water are said to grant visions. Mystics, seers,

and lunatics make their homes along the lake’s shore,rotting their minds by sampling the unhealthy mists.

In addition, the lake might conceal a submergedcity. Where the blistering water is not too deep orcloudy, one can see remnants of old walls on thebottom, with dark cave mouths leading deeper intothe earth.

Makia: Standing on the southern shore of theLake of Golden Dreams, the village ofMakia is atrade center and supply depot surrounded by pensfor the quarry slaves. House Stel ofUrik invests heavily in the village, and most employees, guards, andcitizens in Makia have ties to this merchant house.King Hamanu keeps a large force ofguards stationedin the village, as well as halfling hunters tasked withrecovering fugitive slaves.

VARAMUKEThe city-states in the Tyr Region enjoy an uneasypeace. Although hostilities simmer and raids provoke retaliation, these incidents seldom grow intolarger conflicts. Open war between two city-statesleaves one or both vulnerable to neighbors that mighttake advantage ofweakness and attack. The currentarrangement of powers has lasted for a long time, butthe ruins ofYaramuke show that things can change.

Long ago, Yaramuke was the fourth city-statealong the Road ofKings, Raam’s nearest neighborand occasional ally. Yaramuke’s sorcerer-queen Sielbadoomed her people when she reached too far. Sielbahad long coveted the obsidian of the Smoking Crown,so she sent prospectors into the mountains to establish new quarries. When Hamanu ofUrik discoveredYaramite miners in his mountains, he rounded themup and sent their heads back to Yaramuke as a warning against further encroachments.

GOLDEN DREAMSThose who inhale the steam of the Lake of GoldenDreams experience visions. Many are meaningless hallucinations, but enough true visions are had to lendcredence to the tales about the lake. Any living characterwho spends an hour on the shores can spend two healingsurges to take in the vapors. The character then makesa DC 25 Arcana check or History check. A successfulcheck grants the character a piece of information aboutthe past, as if the character had performed the ConsultMystic Sages ritual. Alternatively, at the Dungeon Master’s discretion, the character can glimpse a future eventinstead—perhaps a person who will cross paths with theparty, a location the adventurers will one day explore,or some other portent. A character can receive only onevision per day, and consecutive uses on subsequent dayscost one additional healing surge. Healing surges spent atthe Lake of Golden Dreams to experience visions do notreturn until the character takes an extended rest at leastfour miles away from the lake.

Incensed, Sielba sent an army ofnew slaves to take ~the mines by force, but Hamanu’s Imperial Guardcrushed them easily. Since it was clear that Sielba —

hadn’t understood his warning, Hamanu chose tostrike back. He led a small army up the Road ofKings, moving slowly as a sign of his disdain for hisopponent. When his army arrived a month later, he <found Yaramuke well defended, its walls protected by Cthousands ofwarriors.

The Urikite legions surrounded the city but did notattack. Instead, Hamanu climbed to the highest hilloverlooking the city and began a terrible incantation.So powerful was this ritual, so destructive its force,that Hamanu drew the life from all the plants andanimals for miles around. His magic shattered thecity’s walls, killed its defenders, and swept throughthe streets, slaying thousands in a rain of fiery death.Not even the Urikite army was spared, and many ofHamanu’s soldiers fell alongside those ofYaramuke.By the time the magic had run its course, the city wasreduced to rubble, and the lands around were poisoned, defiled, and ruined for all time.

Although Yaramuke was destroyed, the city-state was never sacked, and some believe that it stillcontains secrets and riches. The promise of Sielba’svast wealth is enough for many adventurers to setaside common sense and plunge headlong into thedevastated city.

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THE SEA OF SiLT“The slightest breeze stirs up a silvery pall ofdust thatclings to the surface like afog. It becomes impossible to tellwhere the silt-laden air ends and the dustbed begins. Whenthe wind blows more strongly, as it often does, the Sea ofSilt becomes a boiling cloud ofdust, the edges tinged withcrimson sunlight. On such a day, a traveler near the seacannot see more than afrwfret in any direction. The dustcoats his clothes, hisface, the inside ofhis nose, and evenhis lungs. He cannot see the ground or the sky, and whenhe walks, hisfret drag through inches of thick silt. He growsdisoriented, and it becomes an easy matterfor him towander into the sea and disappearforever.”


The Sea of Silt is a great dust sink that extends forhundreds, perhaps thousands, of miles eastward fromthe shores of the Tyr Region. Long ago it was a greatsea ofwater, vast and deep, but now the shore slopesdown to meet what looks like an endless plain ofgraydust. On a calm day, it seems that one could walk outonto the plain as if it were fine sand, but the silt istoo light to support a human’s weight and too deep towade for any distance. The Sea of Silt is an impossiblebarrier to travel, passable only along its margins bysilt skimmers or waders that remain in shallow dust.

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In addition to natural hazards, those who bravethe sea must contend with the monstrous creaturesthat dwell in and around the silt. Tentacled silt horrors prowl the deeps, and giants roam the shallows,walking on secret roads only they know. Even theislands in the Sea of Silt offer as much peril as safehaven. Their isolated locations make them idealhideouts for unscrupulous types who don’t want theiractivities to be observed, and the austerity of life onthe islands turns many inhabitants to savagery.

Like the Ringing Mountains to the west and theSouthern Wastes to the south, the Sea of Silt formsone of the borders of the Tyr Region. For most people,the sea effectively marks the end of the world; no trayeler has crossed its emptiness and returned to tell thetale. Attempts to circumnavigate the silt are likewiseperilous—far to the north, a traveler faces impassablefjords and chains of active volcanoes that bar theway. To the south, the traveler ventures into desolateregions of salt flats and sandy wastes, bereft of life orshelter. In that direction, the sea appears to continuefor thousands ofmiles without narrowing or comingto an end. It is a daunting barrier, to say the least.

178 j~S~ CHAPTER 5 Atlas of Athas

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SEA OF SIL.T BACKGROUNDSThe Sea of Silt is one of the least hospitable environments known on Athas, yet for some, its harshness isa boon of sorts. Small bands of outlaws and outcastsmake their homes along its shores or on islandswithin the sea, competing with the beasts of the siltfor meager resources.

Associated Skills: Acrobatics, NatureLanguage: GiantArchipelagan: You grew up in one of the tiny

villages hidden among the mudflats of the remotecoasts. Most Athasians fear silt and won’t venture indeeper than their ankles, but you grew up around thestuff. You balance on stilts as easily as other peoplebalance on sandals, and you have a feel for whichsilt is safe to wade and which should be avoided. Lifein the mudflat villages is simple and primitive compared to life in the Tablelands or the Seven Cities;what do you make of the world beyond your home?Do you hope to return to your village someday?

Silt Pirate: Small, vicious crews of silt pirates lurkalong the lonelier coasts, preying on silt skimmersloaded with trade goods. Did you join a pirate crew asa youth, captured by the romance of the notion? Didyou win the pirates’ respect by standing up to them?What led you to abandon your crew and strike out onyour own?

THE NATURE OF THE SILTThe Sea of Silt is a curious phenomenon. Once an ocean, itis now filled with fine gray powder as dry as sun-parchedbone. No one can explain why the silt persists instead ofblowing away or slowly compacting into a firm gray plain—it’s not natural for dust to behave in such a manner. ManyAthasians assume that some dreadful magic transformedthe seas to dust long ago, and they’re not far from themark. The Sea of Silt is a vast elemental intrusion intoAthas, a region in which a great elemental power hassubtly altered natural law, balancing air, earth, and waterin a deviant fashion. In the Sea of Silt, dust coalesces andrefuses to compact under its own weight. It remains lightenough to rise in a wind-whipped haze that can covernearby lands with fine gray grit, yet it trickles back down intime to rejoin the larger sea. Even if the silt blows into dustsinks many miles away, it retains these strange properties.

EXPLORING THESEA OF SiurMuch ofthe Sea of Silt remains unexplored andunknown due to its sheer inaccessibility. Except for afew well-charted shoals, the largest silt skimmer canventure only a mile or two from shore. (Anyone whowants to venture farther out needs a means of flyingor levitating.) Worse yet, long voyages up or down thecoast offer little profit. Most ofthe reachable islandsand mudflats are largely barren, and as far as anyone

knows nothing but blasted wasteland, possibly teeming ~with flesh-eating monsters, awaits the bolder travelers.

Experienced silt travelers know that the greatest ~danger of the sea is not monsters, raiders, or drown- Qing it is the insidious “disease” known as the Gray <Death. When the hot, dry sirocco rises, it kicks upthe top layer of fine gray powder and holds it aloft ina vast cloud. As creatures breathe this airborne dust,the moisture in their lungs and throat causes the siltto clump; a human can suffocate in a matter ofhours.The surest protection against the Gray Death is tocover one’s mouth and nose with a wet piece of silk orsimilar fine cloth (included in a typical survival dayof supplies).

THE GOD IN THE DUSTThe Sea of Silt is home to a dormant beast of great elemental power known as the Dust Kraken, Ul-Athra, or theMouths of Thirst. It is said that the fearsome silt horrorsthat hunt in the sea are the spawn of Ul-Athra. Did thecreature come to Athas during the Red Age and turn theoriginal sea to dust? Was it a native of the sea, changedalong with the water by defiling magic? No one knows.

Over the centuries, a number of elemental cults haverisen to worship the Dust Kraken, seeking to rouse thebeast from its slumber and use its power against theirenemies. These cults perform strange rites in the nameof their god. Sometimes, those especially favored by UIAthra’s dreaming awareness are rewarded with secretsof powerful elemental magic or vile rituals that summonand bind lesser avatars of the Dust Kraken.

LAKE 1SIANDMost islands in the Sea of Silt are little more thanjumbled boulders that fight a losing battle against theabrasive winds. Larger, more protected islands canwithstand erosion and might sustain life. Lake Islandis among the bigger landmasses in the sea. A mountainous spine forms a wall that shields against thestorms blowing out of the deep silt; the largest peak isa dormant volcano. A large, clear lake lies within thecaldera, and steam curls up from its pristine waters,warmed by the volcano’s fiery spirits.

Trickling streams from the caldera nourish thethriving flora that blankets Lake Island’s westernslopes. In the lowlands, a traveler can find wildkanks, erdlus, and other herd animals. In addition,small settlements cluster around oases; Lake Islandis home to warring giant clans, thri-kreen, dwarves,and others. Minotaur traders help sustain the fewoutposts, and gith raiders emerge from below themountains to drag prisoners to an unknown fate instinking subterranean grottos.

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THE MOUNTAINS OF THE SUNStanding like a line of tired sentinels a few hundredmiles east of the isle ofWaverly, the Mountains of theSun are almost buried in silt. The range is very oldand no longer has the jagged edges and sheer cliffs ofyounger ranges such as the Ringing Mountains. Deeppasses of silt separate the individual peaks; eachrises a few hundred to a few thousand feet above thedust. From the highest mountains in the center of therange, a traveler can see an endless ash storm far tothe east in the middle of the Sea of Silt.

The Mountains of the Sun have few sources ofwater. Some of the older peaks support a few acresof sparse scrub along their leeward sides, but mostare barren. Thousands ofyears of isolation fromthe mainland, coupled with the lack ofwater, haveweeded out all but the hardiest inhabitants. Thesmall number ofpeaks that can support life attractpowerful flying monsters such as wyverns or rocs.Resilient goats and erdlus survive on some of thelarger mountains. In the caves that crisscross theoldest peaks lurk degenerate tribes of hejkins andcolonies ofmonstrous spiders.

THE ROAD OF FIREThe place’s name is a misnomer, since no actual roadsspan this chain ofvolcanic islands in the Sea of Silt.Some sages believe the Road of Fire to be a mightyarm of the Ringing Mountains flung out into the sea,but others think the volcanic isles are a new range,rising slowly out of the silt. Although several dozensmaller peaks are counted among the Road ofFire,the bulk of the archipelago consists of three islands:Dhuurghaz, Avegdaar, and Morghaz.

Dhuurghaz: The largest island in the Road of Fire,Dhuurghaz is a broad plateau ofvolcanic rock thatis mostly flat except for a range of steep, rocky cliffsalong the southern shore. The center of the island isa deep pit, from which emanates the hellish red glowof magma far below. This volcano connects to theElemental Chaos, and elemental beings (especiallyfirelashers, rockfire dreadnoughts, and fire archons)emerge from the depths, seeking to burn anythingthey can find. Beast giants of the Khal-Ish-Thaas tribedwell in the southern highlands of Dhuurghaz, traveling a slow, nomadic circuit up and down the coast.

Avegdaar: Smaller and more mountainous thanDhuurghaz, Avegdaar is home to nomadic bands ofstone giants and half-giants. The clans ofAvegdaarraid out ofnecessity, since their island cannot support even the meager herds raised by the giants ofDhuurghaz. Avegdaar is also home to a large population of fire drakes. These creatures attack the raidingclans, but only when their own hunting is particularly bad—even fire drakes can’t stand up to a dozenangry giants.

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Morghaz: Unlike its sister islands, Morghaz hasno active volcanoes and is surprisingly verdant.Scrub brush covers much of the land, and here andthere stand small copses of forest. A small tribe couldlive here easily, yet the island is uninhabited. TheKhal-Ish-Thaas tribe and the clans ofAvegdaar avoidMorghaz, believing it to be haunted, and they are correct. A shattered keep on the southeastern tip of theisland was the home of an ancient order ofpreservers. The former leader of the order, a powerful ghostnamed Haakar, still lingers in the ruins.

ROQOMRising out of the dust like the shattered fang of anenormous beast, Roqom appears only at the peak ofmidday on the hottest days of the year. This sharp,jagged spire ofbasalt lies in the wilderness beyondthe Beastbarrens, but according to legend, it appearswherever its master can work the greatest mischief.The master of Roqom is Fajjayad, a great rakshasaprince, and he occasionally uses magical sendings tolure silt sailors and travelers to his black palace—especially travelers who have a desperate need of somesort. Fajjayad claims to be able to provide for any suchneeds in exchange for services to be rendered within1,001 days.

The rakshasa is unfailingly polite and candid. Ifasked, he freely admits that the task he sets is likely tobe difficult, even deadly, and that his “clients” mightdie while attempting it. However, Fajjayad assuresthem that “the laws” (a term he does not define)forbid him from setting a task that is impossible orwhose outcome is certain death. For his magic towork, the task must have an element of chance anduncertainty. Still, if any group has ever profited fromFajjayad’s bargain, its tale is not known.

SHAUI.TThe Isle of Shault lies east of Lake Island, far out inthe Sea of Silt. Frequently hidden by blowing dustand virtually inaccessible by silt skimmer, Shaultholds a secret: a thriving lowland forest. Except for arange of small mountains along the southern edge,the entire island is thickly forested with bizarre,exotic, and sometimes dangerous trees, the likesofwhich have been forgotten by the rest ofAthas.Shault’s fertility stems partially from its geography(the forest is protected on three sides by tall cliffs thatblock the searing winds from the silt, and numeroussprings feed up from below the surface) and partially from the primal magic of the half-giant druidMearedes, who protects the island.

If visitors can persuade Mearedes that they meanno harm, she and her three apprentices tolerate theintruders. However, the druids’ hospitality comesat a price. The goliath is determined to ensure thatknowledge of Shault’s existence and location doesnot spread, lest unscrupulous types plunder theisland. She insists that all visitors be subject to aritual that compels them never to speak of the isle.Mearedes and her apprentices attack all who refuse,with full intent to kill; she does not revel in violence,but she considers the preservation of Shault moreimportant than any individual life. In addition to herapprentices, Mearedes can call on some forty giantsof varying kinds at need, all of them fiercely loyal tothe druid.

In the heart of Shault’s jungle, far from Mearedesand the homesteads of the giants, an ancient city hasbeen ravaged by the march of time. The press of thejungle has torn down chunks of the walls and collapsed buildings as the greenery grows over the stone.Neither Mearedes nor the giants of Shault know whobuilt the city or why; the murals and carvings thatsurvive display script in an unknown language. Sincethe island receives few visitors and the druids avoidthe ruins, its vaults and tombs remain undisturbed.Mearedes doesn’t mind if adventurers explore thecity—assuming that they prove cooperative enoughfor her to tolerate their presence at all—but she warnsthem that dangerous beasts lair within the ruins.

THE SILT ARCHIPELAGOFar to the southeast of the Estuary of the ForkedTongue lies the Silt Archipelago, an unusual regionof shallow silt and mudflats. Much of the sedimenthere is shallow enough to be crisscrossed by “giants’roads”—pathways where the tall creatures can wade.The islets of the archipelago are home to many of thesame deadly creatures that haunt smaller mudflatsand shallows throughout the Sea of Silt, as well asa number of tiny villages. Life on the islets is hard,but it is also free. The residents believe themselvesbeyond the reach of the sorcerer-kings, and they donot practice slavery. Raider tribes from the mainlandand slavers from Balic attack the villages from timeto time, but the archipelago’s human and dwarfwarriors are fierce and determined, and if they cannotturn away an attack, several giant tribes in the areaare willing to lend a hand.

A few merchant houses based in Balic send caravans to the Silt Archipelago to trade for staple goodssuch as food, wood, hemp, and giant hair. In return,the traders obtain mekillot hide and bone, kanknectar, and manufactured goods of glass and workedstone that are beyond the villagers’ ability to make.

VANISHiNG LAKEOne of the largest bodies ofwater in the Tyr Region,Vanishing Lake is a vast mudflat south ana east ofthe Estuary of the Forked Tongue. It stretches morethan twenty miles in length and five in width. Theprecise size is difficult to judge, for the silty muck thatsurrounds the lake is easily mistaken for more of themudflat. Extended periods of drought cause the laketo evaporate, which means that during the months ofHigh Sun there is less water and more mud. Eventually the open water disappears entirely, and the lakeseems to vanish, leaving behind a thin, watery mire.When the sun beats less fiercely during the monthsof Sun Descending, the water’s source wells up oncemore, and the lake becomes obvious to the eye again.Old silt sailors claim that the periods of open watergrow shorter and farther apart as the years pass.Someday the lake might disappear and never return.

Vanishing Lake is home to one or more aggressive water drakes, and silt runners, floating mantles,chathrangs, and other dangerous creatures live intjie surrounding mudflat. The area is protected by apowerful, ancient druid known as the Old One. Mostfolk never encounter him, although occasionally alost traveler, half dead from thirst and sun sickness,claims to have been set on the right path and given awaterskin by a mysterious old druid who disappearedinto the silt.

THE VERDANT iSLEStories shared in taverns from Tyr to Cromlin tell of alush island in the middle of the Sea of Silt. Accordingto the tales, the island is home to a secret city-stateruled by a benevolent monarch and ringed by widelakes of cool, pristine water. Supposedly, this city is aparadise, and if a traveler is lucky enough (or has theright map, which many hucksters just happen to havefor sale), he or she can find the Verdant Isle and livein idle luxury. Sages speculate that the rumor mightrefer to the island of Ebe, a wealthy and prosperouskingdom during the Green Age. Others dismiss theVerdant Isle as a mirage that lures the foolhardyfar out into the sea, where they drown in silt. Thewildest tales maintain that the city, a mighty citadelconcealed in a valley of dust and fire, is the hiddenretreat of the Dragon.

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THE SOUTHERN WASTES“Beware the city dwellers,for they have the tongues ofserpents, and their daggers are made ofsilver coins.”

—A Tamwar saying

The Tyr Region is rimmed by the Ringing Mountainsto the west and the Sea of Silt to the east, but to thesouth is nothing but desert—a vast desert that neverends, as far as anyone knows. As one travels southfrom the shores of the Estuary of the Forked Tongue,villages and outposts peter out to wild lands whereonly a few lonely nomads roam. Beyond that, the traveler comes to silent, empty lands where no one livesat all, and even the vicious predators that haunt thedeserts of the Tablelands and the Ivory Triangle growfew and far between. These are the Southern Wastes,a desolate expanse that in all likelihood girdles therest of the world.

The wastes have no verdant areas or oases largeenough to support a city. In fact, the desert takes ona capricious, elemental character as one venturesfarther south. Just as the Sea of Silt is an incursion ofelemental power into the world, the Southern Wastesare home to other sorts of incursions: mazes ofwind-carved canyons, plains of smoking ash, forests ofstone columns that drift with the gusts, rivers of fire,seas of salt, and more. Perhaps other populated landslike the Tyr Region exist somewhere beyond theseterrible wastes . . . or perhaps not.

SOUTHERN WASTESBACKGROUNDSTo the people of the Tyr Region, the far south is nothing but desolation and mystery, but the near marginsof the great southern desert are home to nomadictribes and small villages.

Associated Skills: Nature, PerceptionSecret Order: You belong to an elemental cult or

a priesthood, a secret society that teaches reverencefor the primal power sleeping in the world’s sand,stone, and sky. Perhaps you were brought to a hiddenshrine as a child and raised there, or you mighthave met a wandering teacher or half-mad seer whotutored you in the power of the elements. Does yourorder have a high purpose, such as the restoration ofAthas or the destruction of the sorcerer kings? Doesyour order still exist, or are you the last member?

Associated Skills: History, NatureTamwar Dervish: You come from the Tamwar,

nomads who live on the edge of the Endless SandDunes. As a youth you were chosen to learn the waysof the elemental spirits and become a holy warriorofyour people. Perhaps you left your tribe to seekyour fortune in the wider world, hoping to earn greatwealth in the civilized lands. Or maybe you are the


last ofyour family, the sole survivor of a dark tragedy.Are you a mercenary or a scout for hire, ready totrade your desert knowledge for a few coins at a time?What do you think of the city dwellers you meet?

EXPI.ORING THESOUTHERN WASTESMuch like the deserts of the Tyr Region, the SouthernWastes are the graveyard of ancient realms. Ruinsdot this awesome expanse and seem to grow older thefarther south one travels. Some sages claim that thepeoples of the Tyr Region once lived in these landsand were driven northward century by century as thedecay ofAthas slowly enveloped the south.

ENDL.ESS SAND DUNESSouth of Balic lie the Endless Sand Dunes, a wasteland that stretches for hundreds, perhaps thousands,ofmiles. It is the domain of the nomadic peopleknown as the Tamwar, herders who struggle to survive at the outskirts of the dunes. In centuries past,the Tamwar gathered in plundering hordes to strikeat Balic, Kalidnay, or Tyr, but no great leader hasappeared among them in many generations. TheTamwar tell stories of ancient kingdoms buried underthe vast dune sea—the homelands of their sacredancestors. The nomads turn on outsiders who ventureinto their holy places.

HERUMAR,THE SAND SCOURGE

A terrible monster slumbers deep in the Endless SandDunes—the beast known as Herumar, the Sand Scourge.The creature resembles a seven-headed hydra of immensesize, whose breath gives rise to scouring sandstorms. Acult of vicious elementalists worships Herumar, believing that blood spilled in the dunes slakes the elementalcreature’s thirst and earns the cultists its favor.

ARKHOL.DA ruined seaport buried in the sands by the shoresof the Sea of Silt, Arkhold is so remote that fewtreasure-hunters have picked it over. The timewornfortress of a forgotten order ofknights sits atop thehighest point of the settlement, overlooking thedry harbor. Drifting sand covers much ofArkholdand shifts from place to place over time, exposinglong-buried portions of the area while hiding othersbeneath new dunes.

THE BL,UE SHRiNEFor most residents ofAthas, it’s a commonly acceptedfact that ifgods ever existed in the world, they arelong since dead or driven off. The Blue Shrine,

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however, suggests otherwise. This ancient structureremains untouched by the hands of time, its whitemarble gleaming in the crimson sun. Within theshrine, an endlessly smoking throne rests before thealtar. Those who sit in the throne and breathe thesmoke experience a dizzying rush ofvisions: enormous, shining warriors battling beasts of living rockand wind, armies ofpriests kneeling in obeisance,the smell of incense, and the sound of ancient hymnsrising to the sky.

CEUKA great city of the Green Age, Celik is now a ruin, butit has not been deserted. Over the centuries, the citybecame a meeting place for nomadic tribes drawnby its excellent wells and the shelter offered by itscrumbling walls. Dune traders followed the nomads,setting up seasonal posts, and eventually, escapedslaves, outcasts, criminals, and others seeking refugeor opportunity found their way to Celik. From timeto time, the ruins fell empty again, but sooner or latersomeone would settle in the old city’s outskirts. Monsters plague the ruins, including bands of anakores,gith, and a few hungry gaj that haunt the old cisternnetwork below the streets.

An ambitious, middle-aged human trader namedKorsun controls Celik. He is the head of HouseMareneth, a small merchant house trading in Tyr,Altaruk, and Balic. Anyone who wants to set up shopin Celik or explore its ruins must buy a license fromKorsun; if someone can’t afford the cost, he or she canbecome indentured to the trader instead.

THE GREAT SALT FLATBetween the eastern borders of the Endless SandDunes and the Sea of Silt lies a salt flat even largerthan the Great Ivory Plain. This region, known as theGreat Salt Flat, is a waterless expanse hundreds ofmiles across that offers no shelter ofany kind. In manyplaces, chest-high ridges of salty encrustation formnatural mazes, blocking all but the most nimble packbeasts and forcing travelers to scramble across the topsof the ridges. The flat is a nearly impassable obstaclebetween the islets ofthe Silt Archipelago and the moresettled regions near the Estuary ofthe Forked Tongue.

THE MUD PALACEIn a deserted corner of the Tyr Region, the MudPalace stands in the middle of a vast mudflat. It is amysterious citadel ofwhite marble that appears tohave no windows or doors in its lower floors. Fromits towers pour continuous torrents of cold, freshwater that have irrigated the mudflat for years, perhaps centuries. Nomads who pass nearby say thatthe palace was the home of a powerful sorcerer whocommanded genies or demons to build it for him. Asthe story goes, he reneged on his payment, and his

~ otherworldly allies entombed him in the structure. It

seems likely that a gate or a portal provides the MudPalace with its bottomless fountains, but few peopletry to collect water here—the surrounding mudflatteems with horrid monsters.

THE DEAD LANDMany days south of Balic, a great plain ofbroken,black obsidian interrupts the monotony of the Endless Sand Dunes. The obsidian differs throughoutthe plain—it can be smooth and glassy, low andrazor-edged, or shattered into jagged chunks 20 or30 feet tall. Here and there, bare hillocks rise abovethe obsidian waves, crowned by a clump ofhardybushes or a small tree, or half buried remnants of citywalls jut out of the glistening glass like the bones of acreature that died in a tar pit. During the CleansingWars, a terrible battle was fought on this plain, anda defiler of awesome power broke the world’s skin,flooding the area with molten black glass to destroywhole armies with one dreadful ritual.

With no food, little water, and no shelter to speakof, the Dead Land is one of the worst regions onAthas. By day, the sun’s heat on the black ground cankill a traveler within hours; at night, the armies slainhere rise as hateful undead, driven to reenact thelast battles of their lives. Near the center of the plainstands an obsidian citadel, built from rock cut fromthe ground by hordes of skeletons and zombies underthe direction of a mighty undead lord.

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THE TABLELANDS“Beyond Tyr, who knows what we’ll meet? Maybe earthquakes, scouring sand squalls, monstrous abominations,attacks by violent raiders.. . sure you’re upfor the trip?”

—Shahin, dune trader

Stretching from the foothills of the Ringing Mountains to the Great Ivory Plain and from the Lost Oasisto the Dragon’s Bowl, the Tablelands are a vast territory of sand, stone, and scrub plains. The picturesquemesas and buttes for which the region is named jutfrom the plains or rise like broken ramparts fromthe badlands, painted in broad striations of orange,yellow, and ocher. These ancient lands, inhabitedby a wide variety of almost all the speaking peoplesofAthas, hold dusty trading posts, hidden villages,and crumbling ruins. When city-dwelling Athasiansthink of deserts and desert people, they usually picture the Tablelands and its denizens. In fact, somecity residents use the term “Tablelands” to describeeverything between the Ringing Mountains and theSea of Silt.

Two city-states dominate the Tablelands: Tyr andUrik. Tyr claims the broad central belt, and Urik’sinfluence extends over the northern portion. Withthe death ofKing Kalak ofTyr, the old rivalry hastaken on a new complexion. Tyr’s revolutionariesdream of spreading their uprising to new cities, whileHamanu ofUrik plots to seize Tyr’s iron mines andextend his control all the way to Tyr’s walls. However,there is a difference between what each city claimsand what it truly controls. Outside a narrow belt ofpatrols and outposts ringing the two cities, the onlylaws a traveler need worry about are the laws of thedesert: Trust no one, guard your water, and watchwhere you step.

TABLELANDS BACKGROUNDSThe Tablelands are a true cross-section ofAthas;here one finds herders, elven tribes, raiders, dwarfminers, trading posts, and ruins teeming with savagemarauders. Scores of tiny hamlets, remote camps,and nomadic tribes call this area home.

Associated Skills: Diplomacy, EnduranceLanguage: Thri-KreenHerder: You hail from the nomadic clans that

wander the scrub plains and badlands, tending flocksofgoats, erdlus, kanks, or other livestock. However,you are no dull shepherd—protecting your animalsfrom desert predators and raiding tribes is a deadlyserious task, and you learned to fight at an early age.Were you captured by slavers and taken from yourpeople, or has some vendetta drawn you out into thewider world?

Land’s Guardian: You swore an oath to the land’sspirits that you would protect a particular regionfrom harm. What part of the world do you guard?How free are you to leave it? What do you regardas the greatest threat to your chosen realm? Whatwould you do to protect your territory?

Hopeful Entrepreneur: You work for yourself,owing no allegiance to any merchant house. Whatgoods do you trade? How do you get along with othermerchant houses? Have any tried to recruit you? Doany houses actively oppose your enterprise? Whatcities have you visited? What allies or enemies haveyou made?

EXPLORING THETABLELANDSThe Tablelands around Tyr hide a number of intriguing sites, including plantations ofTyr’s nobles, clientvillages, raider camps, old ruins, and lairs of dangerous monsters. Trade routes snake eastward from Tyr,leading to the cities of Balic, Gulg, and Urik. Greatmekillot-drawn argosies creak slowly along thesewell-traveled paths, but the roads are far from safe.

ALTARUKThe Balican merchant dynasties ofWavir, Rees, andTomblador sponsor this fortified town of about twothousand souls astride the trade route that connectsBalic with Tyr. Desperate raiders wait in ambush inthe stony barrens and rocky badlands that surroundthe village, but Altaruk’s well-paid mercenaries driveoff any bandits they find lurking within haifa day’stravel of the town’s gates.

This protection is not free to travelers. All whowant to enter Altaruk must pay a toll of 1 gp per visitor (including each beast ofburden). But for thoseinside the 15-foot-high walls, Altaruk offers stables,room and board, trade opportunities between merchant houses, and gossip from all corners of theTablelands. Only the largest and fiercest raiding tribeswould consider attacking Altaruk, but rumor has it

that giants of the Estuary of the Forked Tongue aregathering to strike at the town. It’s happened before.

The village is governed by a Balican noble namedArisphistaneles. In his role as master of the town,he deals with traders in a stern but fair manner.Arisphistaneles also has a secret role in Altaruk—heheads a local cell of the Veiled Alliance, which maintains contact with cells in the neighboring cities.Many an Alliance plot has been hatched in the cellars ofAltaruk.


B1RI( SUNTOUC1-{EDAltaruk PersonalityThis wide-eyed dwarf wanders the village and makeshis living by begging. He constantly mumbles nonsenseregarding Kalak’s “secret prophecy.” Most locals believehe’s a harmless loon, but Birk Suntouched is actually amember of the Veiled Alliance who has been tasked byArisphistaneles to lure out any secret members of theTrue—a conspiracy of Kalak’s followers—who might beskulking about in Altaruk.

BLACK SANDSEast of the Silver Spring Oasis lies a sprawling area ofcoarse black sand. Most travelers give it a wide berth,for in broy rooms and caravanserais across the Table-lands, people speak in hushed tones of the evils of theBlack Sands.

According to rumors, the Black Sands region wascreated by defiling magic that predated the rise of thecity-states and their rulers. Supposedly, an ancientruined city, haunted by hateful ghosts of a past age,lies at the center of the Sands, and any who enter itscrumbled walls are doomed to join the undead spirits. Actually, a ravaged city does sit at the heart of theBlack Sands, although it does not predate the sorcerer-kings. In addition, the legendary Black Sands Raidersare far more dangerous than any undead that mighthaunt the devastated city. These bloodthirsty marauders camp in the shadow of the ruins, riding out in alldirections to plunder villages and raid caravans.

ZEBURON, THE IRON RIDERChief of the Black Sands Raiders, Zeburon leads thegroup’s attacks. He is a bloodthirsty marauder knownfor torturing any victims who fall into his hands; his savagery is legendary in a land where savagery is the norm.Zeburon conceals his face by wearing a full iron helm,etched with strange runes that mark it as the productof another age. Iron gauntlets cover his arms almost tothe elbow, but apart from a breechcloth, cloak, and sandals, he wears no other adornments. Zeburon presentshimself as an elemental force of slaughter—grim, terrible,and silent.

DRAGON HORNSAn ominous pair of crags rising above the rockybadlands south ofTyr, the Dragon Horns serve as thelair of a vicious gnoll tribe that calls itself the DragonHorde. The tribe has no connection with the Dragon,but its appropriation of the terrifying creature’sname enhances its gruesome reputation. The leaderof the Horde is a wily old war chiefnamed TuargBroken-Fang.

Tuarg and the gnolls have taken swift advantage ofthe confusion following the fall ofTyr’s sorcerer-king.Their raids have grown bolder and bolder as the city

fails to respond to their forays. Tyr grapples with toomuch internal turmoil to police its outlying plantations and mines. Scenting opportunity, Tuarg has sentrunners to other gnoll tribes, summoning them to jointhe Dragon Horde. When next the gnolls strike, theymean to scour clean everything outside the city walls.

FREEDOMFor decades Tyr’s slaves whispered about a hiddenvillage called Freedom that welcomed anyone whoescaped from bondage. Unlike many slave tales, thisone is true—Freedom exists, hidden in a remote craterin the foothills between Tyr and Urik. The village’sformer slaves raid to support themselves; however,with Kalak’s fall and the liberation ofTyr’s slaves, thevillage elders are pursuing a new path: trade, or atleast trade with Tyr.

From their hidden refuge, the ex-slaves have senttrade delegations to Tyr, presenting themselves asHouse Lirr, a new minor merchant house. The delegations are led by Bartras, a male human who onceworked as a slave for House Vordon. Bartras rose ashigh in the house as a slave could before he fled witha purse of stolen gold, and he fears he would be recognized in Tyr. Therefore, Bartras travels in disguise,wearing the long black robes and hood of a desertascetic. He usually lets his assistant Fathalia speak forthe so-called House Lirr.

In addition to raiders trying to turn over a newleaf, Freedom is home to ex-slaves who hold grudgesagainst their former masters. A group calling itselfthe Winds ofVengeance secretly hires bountyhunters and assassins to eliminate the slavers. Unfortunately for travelers in the region, the hired killers(who travel in small groups disguised as dune traders) do not discriminate when it comes to lopping offslaver heads. If they can save themselves a bit ofworkby killing a stranger who can pass for their intendedtarget, they will.

GRAK’S POOLMidway between Altaruk and Ledopolus standsa mud-brick fortress built over a natural,spring.Because surface water is rare anywhere on Athas,Grak’s Pool is a welcome stop for travelers. Grak, ahalf-elfwarrior of some renown, commands a bandofmercenaries based here. He allows visitors to setup camp around the outskirts ofhis fortress, but hiswater is not free. He charges travelers 5 gp per drinkand 20 gp per bath.

Below the fortress and the spring, a foundation ofolder ruins extends beneath the stony barrens of thesurrounding landscape. Grak and his mercenarieshave explored only a portion of these tangled, echoing tunnels. Spine-chilling roars sometimes echoup from the deep passages below Grak’s Pool. Theirawful resonance has been sufficient to keep the mercenaries from venturing too far beneath the fortress.


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SEER NAFOUNGrak’s Pool PersonalityMafoun is a badly scarred dragonborn who camps perpetually outside the fortress of Grak’s Pool. He offersprophecies and readings for the cost of a drink in the fortress. Mafoun belongs to a secret cult called the Childrenof the Dragon. The Children believe that the Dragon ofTyr will redeem Athas if it receives enough sacrifices. Theworld’s failure is that, so far, too few lives have been givento the Dragon for it to achieve its ultimate end.

GREAT ALLUVIAI. SAND WASTESA wide belt of dunes stretches hundreds ofmiles fromUrik all the way south past Altaruk, paralleling theRinging Mountains. Over the ages, sand washed fromthe mouths ofmountain canyons has accumulatedinto a vast desert known as the Great Alluvial SandWastes. This region walls offTyr and the foothills ofthe Ringing Mountains from the rest ofthe Tablelands(and the Tyr Region in general). Although the terrainis difficult to travel, it is not especially harsh, and tinywells and oases lie scattered across its golden expanse.

Slither, the Crawling Citadel: A century ago, amul defiler named Yarnath used a powerful ritual tocreate a crawling citadel of bone in the wastes southofTyr. However, the ritual took an unexpected turn,and Yarnath drained his own life as well as those ofthe slaves he intended to sacrifice. He passed intoundeath and became a powerful lich.

Despite the unforeseen sacrifice, Yarnath’s ritualsucceeded in animating the fortified palace of Slitherto serve as his roving citadel. Slither is built from thegargantuan skeletons of seven mekillot dirks boundtogether by beams of fused bone. Turrets and sharpspires of bone rise crookedly from the dirk-shellstructure, which slowly crawls across sand wastes,scrub plains, salt flats, and ridged foothills withequal facility.

Yarnath leads a band of raiders who primarilytarget trade caravans on the way to Altaruk or theSilver Spring Oasis. The lich’s marauders hide theircitadel a quarter-day’s journey from wherever they settheir ambushes, so no one realizes the secret of theirmobile encampment. The raiders bear snake-skulltattoos, and Yarnath has established a network ofspies and agents from Ledopolus to Silver Spring.

Vault ofHouse Madar: The merchant dynastyofHouse Madar fell to the machinations ofHouseTsalaxa a hundred years ago, but Tsalaxa’s victory wasincomplete. The last Madars concealed a goodly part oftheir wealth in a hidden redoubt before Tsalaxa’s assassins slew all who knew the secret of its resting place.

Supposedly, the vault is somewhere in the sandywastes east ofTyr. Its entrance is said to resemble anatural, wind-carved portico set flush in the shadowedface of a canyon wall. Inside, a hidden entrance opensinto a labyrinth of tunnels containing the treasury


vault ofHouse Madar. Undead (apparently consistingofburied Madar ancestors and servitors), constructs,traps, and wards guard the place. Despite the elaborattraps and real wealth stored here, the tomb could befalse—a ploy meant to distract notice from the true andas yet undiscovered vault of House Madar.

MINES OF TYRA mountain road wending between high peaks leadsfrom the gates ofTyr to a fortified mining camp aday’s travel from the walls of that city-state. Threeguard outposts monitor the road at half-mile intervals. The camp occupies a plateau shelfbeneath asheer cliff that contains the mine face. The plateau iscrowded with guards, worker barracks, tools, a smelting compound, and heavy equipment.

The mines snake into the mountain followingnarrow red veins of raw ore. Aside from arsenic poisoning, bad air, and collapses, the workers also facehejkin raids from deeper in the tunnels.

KAUDNAYIn the southern Tablelands stand the shadow-wrapped ruins of Kalidnay, a formerly great city.From an immense palace surrounded by the mansions ofhis nobles and templars, the sorcerer-kingKalid-Ma ruled over a city-state as large as Tyr andas wealthy as Balic. No one knows how Kalidnay’send came, for it was not destroyed by a rival cityor laid waste by the Dragon. All that is known forcertain is that disaster struck on the eve of a celebration proclaimed by Kalid-Ma in honor ofhis queenThanok-An. A few days later, a caravan arrived inKalidnay and found the city deserted. The only signof disaster was a tremendous crack that split opena pyramid in the necropolis a mile outside the citywalls—a grand tomb for Kalid-Ma that had beenunder construction for decades.

Some tales say that the sorcerer-king sacrificed hiscitizens in a terrible defiling rite. Other stories claimthat Thanok-An slew her husband in a bid to steal hispowers and lost control of the dreadful magic she hadgained. Whatever happened, the city was never reoccupied because perilous shadows still haunt the ruins.Those who know the secret ofwalking in other planesreport that Kalidnay now exists mostly in the shadowyotherworld of the Gray; every night, strange mists rollthrough the streets. Any creature caught in the cloying fog is destroyed or drawn away to an unknownfate—perhaps just as the people ofKalidnay were.

Usually, creatures that take shelter in the jumbleof ruins the city has become are safe from the creeping mists. As a result, bold raiding tribes, viciousmonsters, and strange shadow creatures lair in thecrumbling structures.

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KLEDThe dwarven settlement of KIed controls an obsidian mine in the foothills of the Ringing Mountains.The village is built on the location of a Green Agedwarven citadel called Kemolak. The dwarves of Kledbelieve they are descended directly from the kings ofKemolak, although they keep this claim from outsideears lest they anger a sorcerer-king in their presumption. From time to time, miners unearth portions ofthe ruins of the “city ofdwarf kings.” Most of the findsare enigmatic wall remnants or bits of flagged flooring heavily inscribed with angular runes. However,every so often the workers recover a crumbling relicof ancient Kemolak.

Of late, Kled has been troubled by a series of raidstargeting trade caravans bound for Tyr. A number ofdwarves have been killed by mysterious attackers.

LOST OASISPossibly unique on Athas, the so-called Lost Oasisfeatures a natural geyser that periodically shootsscalding water to the surface. Despite its high mineral content, the steaming water nourishes a grove oftrees, perhaps with the help of the thri-kreen druidDurwadala, who claims Lost Oasis as her home.

Travelers who are allowed by Durwadala to enterLost Oasis never see her, and those she determinesto be enemies of life (such as defilers, aberrant creatures, and templars) are slain. How she manages thisfeat is a mystery. Either Durwadala is especially powerful or, as has been reported by raiders, the druid islinked to the geyser in some way, using it to ambushintruders with blasts of scalding water.

SCREAMiNG RAVINEA natural cave mouth in the southern range of theRinging Mountains opens onto a shaft that leadsdown into a series of mine tunnels and small chambers. A ravine ofuncharted depth bisects many ofthe crumbling tunnels and chambers. Bloodcurdlingscreams occasionally echo up from the dark.

A narrow switchback path leads down one wallof the ravine toward its nadir. Since the chasm hasnot been explored in full, no one knows what lies atthe bottom.

SILVER SPRiNG OAsisA fortified caravanserai stands at the oasis along thetrade route between Tyr and Urik. This roadside innis a preferred stop for many house merchants anddune traders. Its faded, worn walls have greeted travelers for more than a century with flickering lanternslit just after nightfall, snippets of exotic song, and theclamor of excited trade.

Silver Spring Oasis is a great walled square, with V~

the central courtyard open to the elements. The innerwall of the courtyard is riddled with dours that leadto sleeping chambers, a common room, food stores,stables, and vaults where dune traders can safeguard —J

their merchandise. The courtyard also contains theeponymous “Silver Spring,” a central well that yields I—

cloudy, foul-tasting water. (Whoever named the wellapparently did so a long time ago, when the waterwas fresh, or the name might be ajoke.) Still, thewater is safe for people and mounts to drink, andwhen properly filtered, it becomes suitable for thefamous “silver baths” that only the wealthiest traderscan afford. Carts and stalls ofminor merchants fillthe courtyard around the well.

The proprietors are a tribe of elves called theSilver Hands. Unlike others of their kind, the elvesare not nomadic herders or raiders; they have runSilver Spring Oasis for several generations. The current leader of the tribe and head of the caravanseraiis ChiefToramund, who greets all newcomers, settlesall conflicts, and oversees orderly trade. Those whoviolate the inn’s primary rule (do not steal fromanother visitor) are ejected through the gate withouttheir trade items, belongings, or clothing.

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UR1K, CITY OF LiONS“lam Hamanu, King of the World, King ofthe Mountainsand the Plains, King of Urik,for whom the roaring windsand the mighty sun have decreed a destiny ofheroism, andto whom the life-giving waters and nourishing soils haveentrusted the mi8htiest city ofAthas.”

—Hamanu, King ofUrik

Hamanu boasts with good reason. Urik is a powerful city-state with teeming armies, enormous walls,bustling commerce, and wise sages, governed in anorderly framework established by the self-styled Kingof the World. Urik’s legions have never met defeat,and Hamanu has never run from battle. Any decisionof importance made in the Tyr Region must considerthe wishes ofUrik’s sorcerer-king.

Urik is highly organized and militarized. A varietyof laws contained in the lengthy document known asHamanu’s Code govern commerce and taxes, specifyholidays, set standards for construction and artistry,and dictate family arrangements such as weddings,care for elders, and funerals. Templars test Urikitechildren and assign them to the vocations for whichthey are most suited. The city aspires to be a meritocracy, but hidden webs of patronage and influencesecure important posts and stations for people withthe right connections.

Although Urik seems stable and well-ordered, it

is every bit as oppressive as any other city-state—perhaps more so, thanks to the number and efficiencyof Hamanu’s templars. In recent weeks, the fall ofKalak ofTyr has upset Hamanu’s delicate balance byproving that sorcerer-kings who rule for centuriesmight be mortal after all. Hamanu believes that hehas nothing to fear from his subjects, but he knowsthat Urik’s fortunes depend on trade with other cities.Ifunrest spreads beyond Tyr, even Urik might suffer.Thus, Hamanu’s templars keep an eye on developments in the Free City and pay for information fromspies in Tyr, including the mul stonecutter Xalos.

URIKITE BACKGROUNDSUrikite humans have bronze skin, dark eyes, andblack or brown hair. The men wear beards and keepthem trimmed into spade shapes or squares. Clothing ranges from simple kilts to sleeveless, knee-lengthtunics or exotic long robes with voluminous sleeves.Veils and scarves are common among the women; thefiner the scarf, the higher the station.

Associated Skills: Insight, StreetwiseGifted Potter: Pottery is the highest art form in

Urik, and the pieces produced in the city-state areamong the finest on Athas. You studied under masterpotters and perfected your craft. How do you useyour position? Who was your mentor? Do you stillpractice the trade?

Scarred Miner: Urik’s obsidian mines kill moreslaves than the city’s arena does. Miners who surviverarely do so without suffering terrible scars or a missing limb. Why were you sent to the mines? Were youinjured there? How did you come to be freed?

Watchful Astronomer: The stars hold manysecrets, and their movements can reveal the future.Urik is famed for its astronomers and their instruments, and you studied under the masters for a time.What omens did you read in the heavens? Were theyresponsible for your current life as an adventurer?

URIK’s POWER STRUCTUREThe templars insist that Hamanu’s Code is a divinegift, a blessing that the sorcerer-king bestowed uponhis people so they could prosper and grow. In truth,the laws are oppressive and jealously guard theprerogatives of the king, his templars, and the nobleclasses. Common Urikite citizens understand that theCode exists to protect the powerful, but they dare notgrumble. The only good thing that can be said of thedraconian laws is that they discourage street crime.

URII( AT A GLANCEAs much an imposing fortress as it is a city-state, Urik iprotected by intimidating walls and fearless defenders.

Population: About 20,000 people live within the citywalls, and more occupy the surrounding plantations.Humans make up three-fifths of the population. Goliaths are the most numerous minority race, followed bydwarves, muls, and halflings. Thri-kreen, elves, and otherraces are represented in Urik as well.

Water: Cisterns gather runoff from the RingingMountains, and deep wells throughout the city supplyneighborhoods with drinking water. The irrigated landsaround Urik draw water from the few oases found nearby.The city-state has ample water supplies.

Supplies: Urik enjoys a robust economy and is famedfor its pottery. Obsidian weapons and tools are commonVast herds in the surrounding lands produce leathermeat, chitin, and kank nectar.

Defense: Urik’s armies are without peer. Not counting the Imperial Guard, which consists of a thousandhalf-giants, Hamanu can field an army of ten thousandslave warriors and professional soldiers. He is also servedby a company of two hundred halfling scouts and slave-catchers sent as a gift from Urga-Zoltapl, chieftain of theForest Ridge town of Ogo.

Inns and Taverns: Travelers can find accommodationsthroughout Potters’ Square and the Obsidian Quarter.Urik prides itself on uniformity, so most inns and tavernsare identical, with few qualities to set them apart. Onlythe Old District has unique places with rich character.


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Hamanu takes an active role in governing,involving himself in every civic function—includingdispensing justice, monitoring food supplies, andoverseeing his soldiers’ training. He is a difficultmaster to please, since he expects the same dedication from his servants. He discards anyone whoproves unable to meet his high expectations.

TEMPLARSUrikite templars enjoy great power but little luxury.Hamanu sees them as extensions ofhis will and presence. It is nothing to him to sacrifice a templar, andhe discards them as he would slaves. Templars fulfillmany functions in the city-state: enforcing laws, collecting taxes, overseeing slaves, leading warriors inbattle, and ferreting out enemies of the state. Theywear yellow cloaks or capes as their badge of office;no one else is permitted to wear similar garments.

Although low-ranking templars live under militarydiscipline, high-ranking templars are awarded nobletitles and rich estates as signs of Hamanu’s favor.

SIRDARSIn Urik, nobles are known as sirdars. They are theonly people permitted to own land. Sirdars collectrent from free tenant farmers or have their retainersoversee slave-worked fields. Hamanu gives propertyto sirdars in recognition of their achievements. In thisway, great warriors, high-ranking templars, priests,magistrates, and other distinguished officials become

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landowners and collect the rents and crops producedon their estates. Gaining an office that carries elevation to the sirdar class is often a matter ofpolitics, butHamanu is sincere in rewarding Urikites of exceptional ability who serve him well. Over the years,many common-born citizens have gained estates ontheir own merits. These awarded lands pass to thesirdar’s descendants, who keep them (and the title)as long as they maintain the holdings in good order.Children of sirdar families are expected to makesomething of themselves, and most seek a high rankin the army or become templars or other officials.

EXPI~OR1NG URIKIn a hilly region where the Ringing Mountains meetthe Tablelands, Urik sits in a fertile belt maintainedby careful irrigation from deep wells. Grain fieldsand fruit-bearing orchards surround the city-statein neat rows. Urik gleams, its stone walls steeped inyellow pigment made from the sulfurous waters ofthe nearby Lake of Golden Dreams. Statues ofbold,bipedal lions march to war across its walls. Lions’heads carved from stone serve as merlons atop thedizzying walls, where sentries stand guard, bowsnever far from their hands.

Four gates offer access to the city. The Slave Gatesees heavy traffic, including caravans bound to andfrom the obsidian mines in the Smoking Crown.Nobles and templars enter and exit through HighGate, and most other visitors pass in and out through


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the Obsidian Gate and the King’s Gate. Half-giantguards, archers, and war templars staff the towers ateach gate and rigorously question all who enter.

Most ofUrik is a place of straight roads and cleanlines. Bricks pave the streets. In most districts, housesand buildings are uniform, nearly identical except forwriting that designates the function or owner. A visitor unaccustomed to Urik’s style can easily becomelost. In addition, one finds Hamanu’s likeness everywhere. The yellow-and-white-glazed walls featurebrilliant murals that capture the Mighty King’s manyexploits. The sorcerer-king has spared no expense inensuring that the people do not forget who rules.

OUTSIDE THE WAU.SThe hills surrounding Urik are mostly barren, butextensive irrigation transforms the land into arablesoil. Grain fields, orchards, and vineyards createsurprising greenery beneath the looming brownhills. Four roads emerge from the city-state and crossthis verdant tract. The wide, winding Obsidian Wayclimbs toward the Smoking Crown and Urik’s obsidian mines. The High Road leads west toward Makla,Urik’s most important client village. The Trade Waytravels south to the Silver Spring Oasis, and the Roadof Kings travels east to Raam.

City of the Dead: Not far from the Slave Gateoutside the city, one finds the City of the Dead, Urik’scemetery. Urikites sometimes refer to it as the Boneyard. The sprawling burial ground features stonemausoleums, mass graves, and private plots.

The Three Sisters: Three hills rise just beyondthe irrigated plain. Here one finds observatories builtto study the skies, including the Royal Observatoryatop the center hill. In this 50-foot-tall tower, Babantylos, the chief astronomer, scrutinizes the stars forportents. Obsidian golems and a guardhouse with adozen sentinels protect the Royal Observatory. Anolder observatory abandoned years ago serves as aplace for clients to meet with smugglers and assassinshired by Silan the Serpent.

OI..D DiSTRICTSimple stone buildings and tight, twisting streetscharacterize this quarter, making it a veritable maze.The Old District’s disorganization sets it apart fromother areas of the city-state. It is home to thousands oflaborers, artisans, and warriors.

Bright Water Well: One of the oases aroundwhich Urik was built, Bright Water is now a community well at the center of the district. Locals believethat it’s good luck to place coins in the cracks betweenthe bricks and bad luck to steal those coins. Shopsand taverns form a courtyard around the well.

King’s Gate: This gate is the site where Hamanudeclared himself king ofUrik, and an obsidian statuedepicting the ruler in his youth commemoratesthe event. Like other gates, the King’s Gate is well

protected, and all traffic must pass through a narrowwalled courtyard before moving deeper into the city.

Old Market: The reasonable prices and exoticgoods of the Old Market—a small, shabby, open-airbazaar—attract customers from all over the city.Buyers can find spices, herbs, and rare cosmetics, notto mention illegal items such as ritual componentsand poisons. Templars rarely raid the market, makingsuch transactions safer here than elsewhere in Urik.

ARTiSAN QUARTERAbutting the Old District and extending west to Potters’ Square is the Artisan Quarter, a rich commercialdistrict where Urikites shop for foodstuffs, finishedgoods, and other commodities. Prices are high in thequarter, but the quality is second to none.

Potters’ Square: This open courtyard is filledwith potter’s wheels, wells, and massive stone kilns.Here, trained artisans fashion the vessels for whichUrik is best known. Platters, casks, urns, and otherpieces come from this square, all featuring metallicglazes, stylized astronomical features, animal carvings, and, of course, Hamanu’s likeness. The blazingkiln at the center of the square makes working hereby day intolerable, so pieces are fired only at night.

The King’s Cup: The King’s Cup, a small andunassuming workshop offPotters’ Square, is thesecret headquarters for the Urikite chapter of theVeiled Alliance. The half-elfThania leads the Alliance cell that meets in the workshop.

SILAN THE SERPENTMany foreigners think that Urik has no criminals, and asfar as ordinary street thieves and cutpurses go, they’reright. The city-state does, however, have a seedy underbelly of smugglers, assassins, and grifters.

Silan the Serpent isn’t so much a professional criminalas he is a facilitator. Clients looking for discreet solutionsto their problems know that Silan can help. He is an obesehuman who spends most days counting his coins at asunny table in front of his favorite café, the Blue Iris.

FOREIGN QUARTERA small neighborhood southwest ofPotters’ Squarehouses people not born ofUrik, as well as those ofraces other than human. Dwarves, elves, thri-kreen,and others find shelter in this cramped community.

The Elven Market: Not far from the ObsidianGate is the Elven Market, where elfmerchants set uptents and makeshift stalls to sell exotic goods from allover the Tyr Region. The market in Urik is more dangerous than its counterparts in other city-states, andfew humans explore its nooks and crannies.

Beggar’s Palace: A large portion of the ForeignQuarter lies vacant and crumbling. The term “Beggar’s Palace” refers to any of the ruined buildings in

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190CHAPTER 5 Atlas of Atizas

this area of the neighborhood, not a specific structure. Those who cannot find lodgings elsewheremake do with what they can find here. Beggar’sPalace is a warren of rot and decay, and only the mostdestitute and wretched people linger in the area.

OBsiDIAN QUARTEROnce Urik’s lucrative mining district, this quarry wasexhausted a century ago, and workers abandonedthe site. Now the Obsidian Quarter is home to theemporiums of merchant dynasties, including thoseof House Stel, the strongest trading house in thecity-state.

Pit of Black Death: This yawning cavity in thedistrict’s southeast corner is Urik’s fighting arena.Once a large obsidian quarry, it now houses gladiatonal games. Wooden scaffolding rings the pit,allowing spectators to watch the action unfolding onthe arena floor below. Hated for its high temperaturesand jagged walls ofbroken obsidian, the Pit of BlackDeath tests its gladiators severely. Those who fighthere are a breed apart.

Stel House: A brooding fortress in the ObsidianQuarter, Stel House features twelve slender towers,each faced with obsidian and capped with a rustingiron sword. The most powerful merchant dynasty inUrik, the Stel family, lives in the citadel. PatriarchHargan Stel is rarely present in the house, since business keeps him in the field.

HIGH QUARTERAlong the western side of the city, between the Ternplar District and the Artisan Quarter, is the wallednoble’s district ofUrik. This area displays enormouswealth. No common houses front the streets; instead,great estates and mansions demonstrate the luxuryenjoyed by Urik’s elite.

The sumptuous palaces, gardens, armories, andbarracks of the manors are dazzling, but their splendor pales beside the Urikets, slender obsidian spiresthat rise in various places throughout the HighQuarter. No one lives in the towers, and only those ofproper station can climb the Urikets to peer out overthe city or take in the heavens from the observationplatforms at their tops. The towers also provide excellent views beyond the city-state’s walls.

MAETAN LUBARHouse Lubar is a typical Urikite noble house. Its symbolis a monstrous serpent, an apt emblem for this avariciousfamily. Lubar’s patriarch, the young Maetan Lubar, hasambitions beyond his station. He presses King Hamanuto let him take an army of mercenaries to seize Tyr’siron mines.

TEMPLAR DisTRIcTThe Templar District exemplifies the discipline thatHamanu expects from his junior templars. Everyblock is made up of identical straight streets andnarrow alleys. Each house has three stories, withthe bottom two floors painted yellow and the topred. Only the cartouches adorning each door set thestructures apart. The most powerful templars gatherin a fortified manor, the Palace of the High Templars,which is hidden behind double walls in the center ofthe district.

DEsTiNY’s KiNGDOMHamanu rules Urik from a compound he calls Destiny’s Kingdom. The grounds include the offices ofthe templars, the city mint, armories, storehouses,and the Imperial Guard Barracks—a massive, brooding structure with training grounds, drill yards, messhalls, and an impressive armory.

King’s Palace: Hamanu’s personal residence isthe King’s Palace, a mighty fortress with stone turrets.and 60-foot-tall ramparts capped with lion-headedmerlons. No one is permitted to enter this sacredstructure without the sorcerer-king’s invitation.Rumors claim that he keeps fabulous wealth in deepvaults, galleries showcasing plunder from his manyconquests, and an incredible garden where he communes with the land’s spirits.

Temple of the Lion God: Urikites see Hamanuas divine, an idea fostered by the king’s dedicatedpriests and priestesses. Standing just inside Destiny’sKingdom, the Temple of the Lion God is open to thepublic, who come to hear sermons about the comingglory, the value of order, and invocations to war.

King’s Academy: Hamanu’s templars scour Urikfor those who show talent in the Way. Promisingchildren are taken from their families and broughtto Destiny’s Kingdom, where they live and train atthe King’s Academy. This institution fosters loyalty tothe sorcerer-king while grooming students to becomeuseful subjects and templars when they reachadulthood.

SlAVE COMPOUNDBetween the Templar District and Destiny’s Kingdomstands Urik’s slave compound. Sealed off from therest of the city-state by an impregnable gate, the highwalled compound is an open courtyard with muddylanes and squalid wattle-and-daub huts. Great stonedoors stand across the compound, granting access toDestiny’s Kingdom beyond. Most of the slaves kepthere serve—and usually die—in the grueling obsidianquarries of the Smoking Crown.

Slaves pressed into the military have separatequarters and occupy barracks in the Slave Compound, in Destiny’s Kingdom, and outside the city.

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191V

THE WESTERN HiNTERLANDS

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“You are not clutch. You are not pack. You are not kreen.And you are not welcome.”

—Klut Takcha, Jhol-kreen huntmaster

Beyond the Ringing Mountains and the Forest Ridge,an unexplored region of flat plains seems to go onforever. This area, the Western Hinterlands, has nocities, no known villages, and few ruins or ancientsites—only a handful of shy and suspicious herding tribes, which stay out of the way of the similarlyscarce packs of thri-kreen and vicious bands ofgnolls.Like the desolate wastes beyond the Endless SandDunes to the south or the broken badlands of theBarrier Wastes to the north, little of the Western Hinterlands is occupied.

Although one might go days or weeks withoutencountering signs of permanent habitation in theselands, explorers are drawn into the remote region.Adventurers looking for undiscovered ruins andrefugees seeking a haven beyond the grasp of thesorcerer-kings cross the Ringing Mountains and headwestward. The boldest or most desperate dune traders lead caravans southwest around the mountains ornorth through the Barrier Wastes, searching for thrikreen to do business with or new resources to exploit.Eventually, most traders abandon such notions andreturn to civilized lands.

WESTERN HINTERLANDSBACKGROUNDSThe sporadic people of the western plains are tough,independent, and wary even by Athasian standards.The hinterlands have no walled cities or powerfularmies to defend against the monsters and savages ofthe deserts; security depends on your own wits andstrength.

Associated Skills: Nature, StealthLanguage: Thri-KreenHunting Tribe: Your tribe lives off the land,

keeping no herds and tending no fields. Life in thewilderness is hard, and death is never far away. Didsome disaster befall your people, leading to yourdeparture? Perhaps you grew curious about the waysofvillage dwellers and city folk and decided to seethe civilized regions of the world. What led you to setout on such on journey?

Outcast: You were expelled from the tribe ofyour birth, and all the world is against you. Did youcommit a crime against your people, or were youdriven out by the lies of a rival or an enemy? Do youhope to prove your innocence and return to yourpeople, or are you content to leave them behind andseek your fortune elsewhere?


Feral Foundling: You were abandoned in the hinterlands and would have died ifnot for merciful spiritsofnature. Why did they save your life? What creaturesdid they use to raise you? How did growing up in thewilderness shape your personality and outlook?

THE KREEN KHANATESThe endless grasslands of the Crimson Savanna arehome to the Kreen Khanates, sometimes referredto as the “Kreen Empire” by the soft-skinned racesof the Tyr Region. To call the thri kreen civilizationan empire is to invest it with far more centralizationthan it actually has. Each khanate is a nomadic hordethat roams within a vast territory, fiercely guardingits borders from raids or invasions by other thri-kreenkhans. The balance of power among the khanateswaxes and wanes as the hordes follow their ancientmigratory patterns. At present, the Jhol and T’keetchKhanates are the largest, although the J’kez Khanate’s neutrality gives it more influence than its sizewould dictate.

Each khanate has a similar organization. The khanis usually the smartest and strongest thri-kreen ofnoble lineage. A council of the wisest scholars andmost gifted hunters advises him or her. Below thekhan’s advisors are the senior hunters, those whohave been blooded in open warfare, and those whohave been called to the worship of the Sand Father (aprimal spirit that the kreen revere as their creator).Below those ranks are the younger hunters, apprentices to Sand Father worshipers, and kreen whoremain in camp to tend to the young and mend ormanufacture supplies.

The recent uniting of the Tondi-kreen into a properkhanate under the charismatic warrior Atark Aakuskhas upset the balance ofpower on the CrimsonSavanna. The presence of a new khanate establishingits own migratory patterns has thrown off the migrations of the older khanates. Some wonder ifAtarkmight be the haazi, the khan of khans whose cominghas long been foretold.

EXPLORING THEESTERN HINTERLANDS

The known hinterlands can be divided into roughlythree regions: the Empty Plains (west of the RingingMountains and the Forest Ridge), the Jagged Cliffs(marking the end of the plains), and the CrimsonSavanna (which lies beyond the cliffs).

THE EMPTY PLAiNSWhen most people in the Tyr Region speak of “thehinterlands,” they are referring to the Empty Plains:a hundred-mile-wide shelf of largely uninhabited

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barrens and scrubland that runs from the thinning forests and foothills of the Ringing Mountains’western slopes to the top of the Jagged Cliffs. Theyellow-green scrubland, broken by the occasional outcropping ofweathered rock, is home to herds ofwilderdlus and mekillots, kank armies, and hungry desertpredators. Ruins lie scattered through the plains, butapparently, the region was lightly populated even inancient times; the remnants here are small in sizeand few in number.

A few primitive tribes of hunters—mostly elves,humans, and half-giants—follow the herds, along withthri-kreen packs and bands of ravenous gnolls. However, vast stretches of these plains are deserted, andtravelers might go months without meeting anyone.

DRAGON’S CROWN MOUNTAINSRising out of the relatively flat terrain of the EmptyPlains, the Dragon’s Crown is a U-shaped range ofmountains a hundred miles west of the RingingMountains. According to legend, the unusual peaksburst up out of the plains at the same moment thatthe Dragon came into being.

The Chaksa: This ancient shrine sacred to thekreen of the Tyr Region lies near the southernmostedge of the Dragon’s Crown. Once, the Chaksaresembled a perfectly sculpted thri-kreen head,replete with enormous, multifaceted jewels for eyes.Time and vandals have left their marks on the shrine.Recently, thri-kreen of one of the Crimson Savannakhanates have taken an interest in the old shrine,driving off anyone who comes near.

Dasaraches: Within the sheltering bowl of theDragon’s Crown is a rare sight on Athas: a small butlush woodland known as the Silent Forest. Its dangerous predators and poisonous plants keep mosttravelers away. At the center of the wood, on an islandin the middle of a muddy lake, sits a ruined fortresscalled Dasaraches. This ancient palace is home to amenacing cabal ofpsionicists who call themselves theOrder. Uninvited guests are likely to have their memories erased and find themselves under a compulsionto return home by the swiftest route.

JAGGED CUFFSThe Empty Plains come to an end at the lagged Cliffs,a confusing maze ofgradually steepening escarpments and winding canyons following the shore of along-vanished sea. Over the course of thirty or fortymiles, the land descends to the rolling plains of theCrimson Savanna, which lie two miles lower thanthe Empty Plains to the east. In their middle elevations, the cliffs are almost vertical, posing a nearlyimpassable barrier to travel from east to west. In thegentler and more well-watered canyons and hanging valleys in the northward stretch of the cliffs,strange vertical forests cling to the sheer slopes and

narrow ledges. Tribes ofhalflings inhabit some ofthese forests, building their villages directly from thecliff faces. Their technology is more prithitive thanthat of the city-states, but the halfling culture of thelagged Cliffs is rich, vibrant, and old. Like their kinin the Forest Ridge, these halflings are a proud andisolationist people who do not appreciate outsiderswandering through their lands.

Thamasku: Far to the north, the halfling settlement ofThamasku lies in a large, fertile hangingvalley along the lagged Cliffs. The settlement hasstone buildings, paved roads, and a population rivaling that of a small city-state. Thamasku is a center oftrade among the halfling tribes of the cliffs, and itsbustling markets draw merchants from up and downthe region. Occasionally, more exotic traders, including representatives of the merchant houses of the TyrRegion and thri kreen from the Crimson Savanna,can be found selling their wares.

The Forbidden City: Within the jungles south ofThamasku, an ancient city half overgrown by withered vines and stunted trees crumbles into ruin.The nomadic halflings of the surrounding tribeswhisper fearful tales ofTham Nusul—the ForbiddenCity. They tell of serpentfolk that come in the night,silent as shadows, and steal children from theircribs. They tell of plants that seek the blood of theliving, and of a devil in the cisterns below the citythat ensnares its victims with illusions and turnsthem into mindless servants. The yuan-ti that dwellin the Forbidden City raid the local tribes for foodand slaves, and sometimes they grow bold enoughto waylay large war parties of halflings or thri-kreenthat venture too close.

THE CRIMSON SAVANNAAt the foot of the lagged Cliffs begins an immensegrassland that no explorers (other than the thrikreen) have charted to its end. Some sages believethat before the despoliation ofAthas, this region wasthe bed of a great inland sea, and that the red dustthat gives the savanna its name is windborne siltslowly encroaching from the eastern reaches. Thereare stories of ancient sailing ships still lying halfburied in the grassland. In any event, the CrimsonSavanna now belongs to the thri-kreen khanates andfierce monsters.

Thri-kreen cities that were established centuriesago dot the dusty sward, but the mantisfolk havefallen into savagery. They abandoned their civilization, leaving their cities to crumble on the plains.

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CHAPTER 5 Atlas of Athas SI

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The Tablelands are replete with ruins. Decayin8 towers risefrom sandy wastes. Abandonedfortresses loom over stonybarrens. Long-lost dungeons lie hidden in badland labyrinths. Sometimes, a vicious creature or brutish monsterlairs within, eager to make a meal of the unwary traveler.Once in a while, a priceless treasure is sheltered in theremains. Only the bold and adventurous knowfor certain.

The Wanderer’s Journal

Athas is a barren and savage world where mere survival is a challenge. This land of oppressive cities andharsh wilderness offers few refuges from strife andsuffering. Monsters of every shape and size lurk amidthe sands, preying on anything that moves.

In this realm, true champions are needed—heroeswhose spirit is unbowed by endless wastelands andbrutal tyranny. These warriors meet challenges withcourage and cleverness, their measure determined bythe foes and circumstances they strive against. Theseworthy souls are your player characters.

Your job as Dungeon Master is to stage a worldthat evokes desperation, lost possibilities, and devastation in equal measure with barbaric splendor andwild beauty. Your players should feel tested at allturns by a world where only the strongest and mostdetermined can triumph. On the other hand, hammering them with unwinnable battles or unrelievedmisery is a death knell for your game. Your goal is toestablish that Athas is an extraordinarily challengingworld—and therefore requires great heroes—whilekeeping the hope of triumph alive.

To that end, this chapter contains the followingsections:

+ Adventure Creation: This advice discussesadventure themes particularly suited to Athas.

4 Travel and Survival: A variety of tools can aidDungeon Masters in adjudicating overland traveland survival challenges on Athas.

Encounter Building: Guidelines for setting uparena and wilderness encounters are followed bysample skill challenges, all ideal for Athas.

Treasure and Rewards: A discussion of fixedenhancement bonuses and alternative treasurespecific to the world.

Sand Raiders: This three-encounter adventurefor 1st-level characters serves as a quick and easysetting introduction for your players.

CHAPTER 6 Running a

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ADVENTURE CREATiONThe DARK SUN campaign setting is as broad andinclusive as any other DUNGEONS & DRAGONS milieu.All the familiar adventure scenarios, such as “cleanout the monster lair” or “search for treasure,” workas well on Athas as they do in any other world.Straightforward dungeon crawls, such as delving intoUnder-Tyr, exploring desert caverns where raiderslair, or venturing into the ruins ofburied cities, are asvital. All that’s necessary to make such escapades feellike DARK SUN campaign adventures is to surroundthe characters and plots with Athasian trappings,such as the desert, slavery, or a reptilian monster mix.

This section discusses several Athasian adventurethemes. The most important premise is that Athas is aworld ruled by evil. Civilization has been subjugatedby the sorcerer-kings. Much of the wilderness is overrun with brutal, pitiless raiders. No moral authorityexists to which the player characters can defer—eitherthey are the heroes of the game, or no one is.

THE DESERTOn Athas, the desert is ever present, a magnificentand terrible environment. Every game set on Athasshould, at some point, lead characters into the blistering wilderness beyond the city-states.

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CHAPTER 6 Running a Dark Sun Game

By day, the Athasian desert is a scorched wasteland; at night, it can get bitterly cold. A sea of sand,shifting and blowing, might be a common sight, butother versions of desert exist. Rocky badlands, scrubdotted hills, and featureless flats dominate certainareas. When the characters enter a new kind of terrain, take time to describe it. The first few times theyencounter a desiccated salt flat or a stark fracturedwasteland, you want them to hesitate for a moment toappreciate both its grandeur and its threat.

For instance, when the heroes first enter the waste,tell the players that they see white dunes like frozenwaves, glowing beneath a merciless sun. An acrid,ashy odor clings to everything. The hot wind bringswith it sand particles that sting exposed flesh andinflame the eyes. Except for the sigh or howl of the aircurrents, the desert is cloaked in a gravelike silence.

ATHASIAN EcoI~oGvThe deserts ofAthas are home to a mix ofprimitivesand monstrosities unknown in other settings. In general, stock your adventures with whatever monstersyou think offer your players a good challenge.

Reptilian and insectlike creatures play a biggerrole on Athas than mammals do. Many beasts ofburden, such as horses, camels, oxen, and elephants,have died out. Other domesticated and game animals, such as dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, sheep, antelope,and deer, are likewise absent from Athas. Goats survive, as do lions, hyenas, bats, and a few small rodentssuch as mice and desert rats. In place of fur-bearingmammals common on other worlds, Athasianbeasts are scaled or chitin-covered. Crodlus, mixes,mekillots, and other large reptiles are commonmounts or beasts ofburden. Kanks and other giantinsects serve the same purposes.

Certain aquatic monsters, such as aboleths andsharks, are not part of the Athasian ecology. Othernormally sea-based creatures have adapted. Chuulsare at home on Athas, burrowing under the sands.They lose their swim speed and gain a burrow speed,but are otherwise the same. Other monsters appearon Athas with slight changes in form or new abilities.The DARK SUN Creature Catalog presents a number ofthemes you can use to adapt monsters to Athas.

Certain intelligent races found in other DUNGEONS

& DRAGONS settings remain populous on Athas.Elves, dwarves, halflings, humans, and goliaths havespread across the world. Other groups were annihilated during the genocidal wars that raged thousandsofyears ago. Devas, gnomes, kobolds, ogres, kuotoas, and sahuagin can no longer be found on Athas.Other humanoids, such as dragonborn and eladrin,are limited to a handful of survivors. In their place,native races such as aarakocras, brohgs, gith, hejkins,

and silt runners have settled the wastes. Finally, somepeoples have adjusted to the burning sands, leavingbehind old ways. Lizardfolk are known as ssurrans onAthas, and they’re a desert-dwelling, nomadic race.The world has not seen the brutal tread of orcs, buttareks—a race of savage, bestial warriors—are similar.

SURVIVALFor most creatures in the Athasian wilderness,surviving through any particular day is an accomplishment. In the city-states, day-to-day existenceis not at issue for nonslaves, although the threat oftreacherous death in civilized areas should not be discounted. Any hero who ventures into the desert mustbe concerned with necessities such as water and food.

An entire adventure could be built around surviving the rigors ofAthas. Perhaps the heroes pursue acriminal into the wastes, or follow an ancient mapthat hints at treasure. Several days into the trip, theheroes discover that their supplies have been spoiledor are missing. The real adventure begins when theyrealize they’re within days of death and help is a longway away. Players whose characters emerge from this“survival adventure” gain a new appreciation for theuniquely challenging nature of the DARK SUN setting.

SLAVERYSlavery is a brutish, ubiquitous reality on Athas.Anyone might become a slave. Teams of slaves carrynoble palanquins through the streets; slave auctionsattract crowds in busy marketplaces; caravans bringin coffles of roped slaves. On Athas, adventurers witness slaves and chattel owners all around them.

A character might come to legally own slaveswithout intending to. Triumphing over a noble or adune trader could leave the heroes responsible fortheir vanquished foe’s slaves. They might confront therealities of slavery when they discover that a friendor a relative has been taken by slavers. A charactermight even fall into slavery, perhaps as a result of themachinations of an enemy noble or a templar.

SLAVERY AND ALiGNMENTKeeping slaves is not compatible with a good alignment,but doing so does not necessarily make a character evil.Most slave owners are unaligned. Overseers who treattheir slaves brutally are definitely engaging in evil actsthat should outrage good characters. The question iswhether anything can reasonably be done about the situation. Given how commonplace slavery is on Athas, goodcharacters can’t reasonably attempt to free every slavethey meet, nor should they recklessly challenge slaveowners who are too powerful to overcome. Good characters should be anguished by the abundance of humanmisery in civilized areas, however, and they should bededicated to aiding however they can short of attempting suicidal actions.

PSIONICSAll living creatures on Athas have some -minor ability to affect the world with their minds. Most folkfail to tap into these abilities, experiencing déjà vuor random flashes of insight at best. Every so often,a person naturally develops the capacity to close adoor from a distance or bring a small object to hand.More than a few natives, however, display strongmental aptitude. Psions, wild talents, and otherpsionic creatures, individuals, and institutions can beencountered on a daily basis.

On the streets of a typical city-state, a charactermight observe:

+ A dowser using her wild talent to locate a good sitefor a new well.

+ A stately noble keeping dust and grim from hisfine slippers and elaborate hems by levitating afew inches above the street.The impressive facade of an academy where influential people can pay to be educated in the Way.

To showcase the importance ofpsionics in the world,include psionic monsters in adventures. Instead ofusing an archer as an artillery monster, use a telekineticist who delivers bolts of force. Organized fightinggroups could include empaths who heal, or telepathswho fight as controllers. Adventures might includestory elements based on noncombat psionic talents.For example, a villain could have the ability to cornrnand lackeys using long-distance telepathy.

ARCANE MAGICAlthough Athasians are accustomed to the Way, theyare hostile to arcane power. They consider casting anarcane spell to be an evil act. On Athas magic is evilor, at least, the favorite tool of evil manipulators. Youshould make sure that the player of an arcane character understands the constant and ruinous temptationof arcane magic. Every now and then, remind theplayer of the defiling option. This suggestion can beparticularly telling when an important attack is athand, such as when a character uses a daily power.Whether a character gives in to the temptation ofdefiling or not, people who discover that he or sheis an arcanist usually assume the worst. As a result,all spellcasters must be careful about whom theyconfide in. Blasting enemies with spectacular spellsin a populated area is certain to be met with cries of“Spell maker!” and “Defiler!” At least one witness willreport the character to the templars unless the spellcaster convincingly claims to be a psion, conceals thespellcasting, or eliminates all witnesses. (Bluff canbe useful for disguising arcane spellcasting; see the“Proving Your Worth” skill challenge, page 204.)

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TRAVEL AND SURViVAL

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You claim these lands are barren, yet I see scorpions skittering in the rocks. Venomous serpents lurk among the dunes.Stubborn thornweed defies nature and survives despite theelusive rain. Signs of life exist all around you. You simplyhaven’t learned to look at the desert closely enough.

—Kylus, herder

People on Athas gather in city-states and villages forgood reason the wilderness is dangerous. City-statesprovide food, water, and shelter from the cruel landscape. Few city dwellers quit their homes, preferringtyrannical rulers and their excesses over certaindeath from a cruel red sun. Adventurers, however,are enticed by circumstance and fortune to bravethe wastes. Their destination might be a far-flungcity-state, crumbling ruins from another age, or arumored verdant land beyond the perils of the sun-scorched wastelands.

Beyond the city-states’ sheltering presence, milesupon miles of shattered terrain lie in wait. For theunprepared, walking these lands is tantamount to adeath sentence. Still, havens exist in the empty wilderness. Caravan outposts offer food and drink forexorbitant prices. Ruins—tombs for old dreams anddashed hopes—provide meager shelter. Raiding tribes,herders, and hermits claim portions of the wilds.These hardy denizens might be free from the cruelregimes of the city-states, but they are slaves still toAthas’s domineering environment.

OVERLAND MOVEMENTMany Athasians hate the wastelands, seeing nothingbut hardship in the stony barrens, shifting dunes, andblowing dust storms. These fearsome landscapes holda unique beauty, however. Their magnificence is evidence of the world’s persistence despite the horrorsdone to it. The stirring dawn on the horizon promisesyet another parched day, but the play of the crimsonlight stirs the heart.

In addition to the environments common to allworlds—hills, mountains, and flatlands—Athas hasseveral landforms seen infrequently or not at all inother worlds. Salt flats are waterless and devoid oflife, but they lack obstructions, enabling direct travel.Rocky badlands or stony barrens force travelers intoa meandering and difficult path, but brush and cactihold reserves ofwater and food.

MOVEMENT AND SURViVAL.Desert terrain impedes travel and survival accordingto the following table.

Speed Multiplier: To figure the distance traveledper day, hour, or minute, multiply base overlandspeed (see Player’s Handbook, page 261) by this value.


Nature (forage) DC Modifier: Modify the DCofNature checks for foraging or survival challengesbased on the terrain.

DESERT TERRAIN MODIFIERSSpeed Nature (forage)

Terrain Multiplier DC ModifierIBoulaer fi~Iä 3/4 +2Dust sink* 1/2 +5Mountain 1/2 +0Mudflat 3/4 -2Rocky badland 1/2 +0Salt flat 1 +5Salt marsh 3/4 +0Sandy waste** 1 (or 1/2) +0Scrub plain 1 -2Stony barrens 3/4 -2* This movement rate is possible only in wading depth, up

to two-thirds of the creature’s height. If the depth of thedust sink is greater than that, the terrain is impassable.** Reduce speed in areas of high dunes.

SURVIVING ATHASThe myriad perils of the wastelands await anyonewho leaves the relative safety offered by civilization.For those who are adequately prepared, you can summarize the travel experience as you would in othergame world. For those without the proper supplies,however, Athasian journeys are desperate affairs.

Characters navigating the wilderness fall intoone of two states: supplied or unsupplied. Suppliedcharacters must consume a certain amount of provisions each day to avoid dehydration and starvation.Unsupplied characters must manage to do withoutthe food and water they need. People can live withoutfood for weeks ifnecessary, but as little as three dayswithout water can kill. Most Athasians can survive ona half-gallon of water per day—they’ve had thousandsofyears to become acclimated to the conditions ontheir world. A Large creature requires 2’ gallons ofwater per day, and a Huge creature needs 10 gallonsofwater per day.

To be supplied, a creature must do one of thefollowing.+ Spend at least part of the day in a city, village, out

post, or oasis.+ Expend a survival day worth of supplies (see

below).+ Use the Nature skill to forage successfully (see

Player’s Handbook, page 186).

SURViVAl. DAYSCurrency serves a purpose in the marketplaces andtrade emporiums, but no coins, jewels, or preciousmetal can save a dehydrated traveler from the crimson

sun. Athasians value life’s necessities: food, water,proper clothing, and a bit of shade from the sun.

A survival day serves as a shorthand method formanaging the resources needed for a trip through thewastes. Each survival day represents sufficient waterand food for one person to get through a day’s walkacross the countryside. The supplies also includesalve to protect the skin from the sun, clothingdesigned to retain body moisture, and insulation toward off the night’s chill after the sun sets.

Obtaining Survival Days: You can make thesedaily rations available to characters in any of the following ways.+ Offer survival days for purchase at the rate of 5 gp

each.+ Combine a half-gallon ofwater with food sufficient

for 1 day (gathering such supplies might carry nocost in an area where water is available and foodcan be hunted).

+ Substitute one or more survival day’s worth of supplies for 5 gp each in treasure (see page xx).

+ Grant survival days as quest rewards or as payment for undertaking adventures.Expending Survival Days: After each extended

rest, a character can expend a survival day to becomesupplied until the next extended rest or until 24hours pass, whichever occurs first. Supplied characters are not susceptible to sun sickness (see below).

Selling Survival Days: In the desert, survivaldays are valuable enough to be sold or traded at theirnormal value (5 gp each). Indeed, an explorer dyingof thirst would likely pay a king’s ransom for a singlesurvival day. Where people are near sources ofwaterand food, however, they can obtain supplies for farless than 5 gp per day’s worth. In those areas, survival days aren’t easy to sell.

SUN SICKNESSScarce resources, sudden storms, and dangerouspredators come and go. The extreme temperaturescaused by Athas’s sun, however, are relentless. Precautions mitigate this danger for a time, but can nevereliminate it.

Each daylight period that an unsupplied character or mount travels through the wilderness, Athasmakes an attack against Fortitude. On a hit, the targetcontracts sun sickness. If a creature suffering from

sun sickness is hit again, it loses one healing surge orhit points equal to its healing surge value if it has nohealing surges left.

Resting by Day: Adventurers who take extendedrests during the day remain subject to contractingsun sickness, but they gain a +4 bonus to Fortitudeagainst such attacks.

NIGHT TRAVEl.Sun sickness can be avoided by waiting for the sun toset before undertaking ajourney. This strategy carriesa different set of risks. At night, temperatures plummet, a stark contrast to the intolerable heat of the day.

For each 8-hour period spent traveling by night,an adventurer must succeed on an Endurance checkagainst a moderate DC or lose one healing surge (orhit points equal to the character’s healing surge valueif no healing surges are available).

Sun Sickness Level equals character level

The sun’s punishing rays leech vitalityfromyour body.

Attack: Level + 2 vs. Fortitude at heroic tier, level + 4 vs. Fortitude at paragon tier, level + 6 vs. Fortitude at epic tier.Endurance improve hard DC, maintain average DC, worsen average DC 1 or less

The target ~J Initial Effect: The target loses one healing surge ~ The target takes a -2 j~ Final State: The target diesis cured, or hit points equal to the target’s surge value, penalty to all attack

The healing surge or hit points cannot be rolls and defenses.regained until the target is cured.

CHAPTER 6 RunninB a Dark Sun Game

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ENCOUNTER BUiLDiNGAthas has ruins aplenty, but player characters mightnot undertake dungeon exploration on a regularbasis. Also, challenges such as surviving desert travel,navigating the intrigue surrounding templars andnobles, and undermining insidious slavers can’t beovercome through simple combat. Travelers are likelyto meet deadly predators ‘and savage marauders inthe wastelands they cross to reach specific adventuresites. Indeed, the journey from one city to anothercould encompass an entire adventure, combiningchallenges of survival, negotiation, and battle againstraiders or desert monsters.

This section provides guidelines for creating botharena and wilderness encounters that have an Athasian flavor.

ARENA ENCOUNTERSThe sorcerer-kings might be the most powerfulbeings in the Tyr Region, but even their rule wouldnot last long in the face of an obstinate populace. Tokeep their subjects content, city-states host grandspectacles, vicious arena matches where slaves andprofessionals fight. Each week, nobles and commoners alike turn out in droves to see their favoritechampions duel. The crowd gasps as horrific monsters come roaring out from their pens, venting theirfury on the unfortunates scheduled to face them. Theaudience howls with pleasure when blood sprays theair. Both during and after events, arena masters workhard to stage extravaganzas that please their sorcerer-king masters and the crowd.

The arena is an iconic setting for encounters.Before gathered crowds, the characters test their talents, employing every trick at their disposal to secureglory, wealth, or freedom. In the arena, any encounteris possible. Gladiators might face hideous monsters orother desperate humanoids. Elaborate contests mightforce combatants to navigate manifold perils whilefighting off the competition. Ifyou can imagine it, aresourceful stage manager can bring it to life.

You can use the arena for a single encounter or asthe site of several encounters, turning it into a surrogate “dungeon.” Rather than explore rooms, thecharacters face new tricks and challenges in an effortto gain freedom, glory, or wealth. The following information can help you turn a simple match in an openarea into an engaging and dangerous event.

Scope: Under most circumstances, the floor of anarena is larger than you need for a single encounter.In that case, you might run different contests at thesame time. By pitting smaller groups against opponents in different sections, each character can seehis or her companions fight at the same time. Alternatively, you can use other matches as set dressing,


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sprinkling in descriptions about the events of thosefights as the heroes’ match unfolds.

Involvement: An arena encounter can featureone, some, or all of the player characters. Althoughduels can be exciting from time to time, if only one ortwo of the heroes are involved, the other players arerelegated to spectator status. To prevent this problem,create circumstances that engage all the players.If several characters are participating in contests,make those battles team combats, or run the matchessimultaneously. The players ofnonfighting charactersmight be able to influence the action by engaging inskill challenges to shift the crowd’s favor or to manipulate the stage and trappings to aid their allies.

Weapons and Armor: Few gladiators have theluxury of choosing their own weapons and armor.Most contestants use whatever equipment the arenamaster provides them. Typically, the gear is not something a warrior would ordinarily select. Ifyou assignspecific, suboptimal weapons and armor to a contestant or contestants, consider lowering the encounterlevel by 1 or more. You might impose a —2 penaltyto the attack rolls and defenses of the opponents thecharacters face. You can also place preferred weaponsin certain strategic areas of the arena, making theiracquisition a key goal in the fight.

Composition: Arena encounters involving anentire party of characters are built just as othercombat encounters are. When the group is divided,however, certain encounter design challenges arise.To make a small-group match suitably challengingand easier to manage, consider reducing the numberof creatures and using higher-level opponents to staywithin the lowered XP budget. In single-characterfights, use caution, keeping in mind the character’sclass, capabilities, and resilience.

Frequency: An arena hosts numerous contestsduring a day of activity. Performers engage the crowdbefore and between events, giving laborers time toclear away and set up new props, to drag off corpsesand other debris, and to make repairs. Events commence at dawn and continue into the night. Considerthe following adjustments when pitting the heroesagainst several arena encounters in the same day:+ Use low-level encounters to avoid exhausting the

party’s resources too quickly.+ Use low-level monsters instead of high-level ones.+ Grant an action point to each character before

each match.+ Allow the characters to take an extended rest

during the day’s events.

An encounter set in an arena can be as simple as twocombatants dueling in a large sand pit. It can also becomplex, with different matches being fought at the

same time or one large contest replete with monsters,terrain features, traps, and objectives each gladiatormust achieve to win. The arena is flexible enough toaccommodate all the kinds of encounters describedin the Dungeon Master’s Guide, featuring whatevermonsters you like.

The following sections present some encounterstailored for use in the arena.

MATCHED PAiR ENCOUNTERA bout between matched pairs is an old and established tradition in arenas. Nobles and stablemastersstudy their gladiators to find combatants that havecomplementary fighting styles. Once a suitable matchis found, the two warriors begin training togetherwith the goal of forming an effective and dynamicteam. Once they are ready, the gladiators are pittedagainst other matched pairs or against powerfulopponents such as veteran gladiators or monstersbrought in from the desert.

Objective: Matched pair bouts are fought untilboth members are bloodied or dead.

Combatants: Two or four characters. Two playercharacters might fight a pair of monsters or a singlesuperior opponent. They could also battle anothermatched pair, perhaps composed of two allies.

Battlefield: A matched pair event needs at least a6-by-6-square area for any meaningful maneuvering.Also, consider including a component (trap, hazard,terrain power, terrain feature) that endangers bothsides equally.

Encounter Building: Pitting the proper rolesagainst each other is as important in matched pairbouts as it is in duels (see above). If the matchedcharacters have different roles (as they should, giventhe goal of creating a complementary team), you canuse a wider range of threat roles for the opposition.This variety makes the encounter more exciting.The threat might be a single elite creature, anothermatched pair, or numerous lesser creatures.

XP Budget: The XP budget is equal to twice thestandard award of a level suited for the encounter’sdifficulty. For example, a standard matched pairencounter for 14th-level characters should provide areward of approximately 2,000 XP.

BEAST ENCOUNTERMonsters delight the crowd. Matches between gladiators are entertaining, but relatively common. Beastcombats offer a special treat, allowing the audience towitness some of the horrors of the wasteland withouthaving to confront them personally. These events,however, can be dangerous. If a beast overcomesthe gladiators, it can turn against the crowd. Suchan eventuality might thrill particularly bloodthirstyspectators, but if a high-ranking noble or official isinjured, an arena master stands to lose far more than

paying customers. Handlers (usually slaves) are readyat all times to step in and bring the beasts under control. At the very least, the handlers can distract andperhaps delay the monster as it feeds on them.

Difficulty: Standard or hard.Battlefield: These events feature the beast in all

its glory. Terrain should be minimized, particularlyany feature that might block the audience’s view ofthe creature.

Encounter Building: These combats should feature animals or magical beasts as opponents. You canuse an elite monster against a matched pair of opponents or a solo monster against a team of four or five.

DR1TAN ENCOUNTERThe dritan match is an expensive and laborious, yethighly popular event. After hauling in rock, dirt, andsand, the arena workers sculpt the area to reproducea wilderness environment. The result is a complexbattlefield offering combatants new tactical optionsand challenges. Given the cost, dritan battlefieldsare used for multiple matches in one day or are keptintact for several days.

Difficulty: Any.Battlefield: A dritan match uses as much of the

arena floor as possible to provide numerous tacticaloptions.

Encounter Building: Terrain is the key to anexciting dritan match. To ease the task of construction, break the encounter area into subsections, nosmaller than 4 by 4 squares each. Each subsectionneed not be the same size, but it should provide sufficient room for combatants to maneuver. Half of thesubsections should include a hidden threat: a one-shot trap, a terrain power, or another environmentalelement. Connect the subsections with 2-square-widepaths that enable combatants to move from one areato another. Fill in the passages with blocking or difficult terrain. You might also include extra minioncreatures to haunt the “in-between” areas.

TYRANT’S PYRAMID ENCOUNTERThe tyrant’s pyramid is a wooden, bone, or stone ziggurat built in the center of the arena floor. At the top,a small platform or structure holds the prize. Thesides of a tyrant’s pyramid sport numerous traps anddangers to keep the ascent interesting.

Difficulty: Standard or hard.Objective: To win this contest, a gladiator must

reach the pyramid’s zenith and hold it against allattackers.

Combatants: A tyrant’s pyramid is a free forall. Each character or creature competes against allothers to reach the top and to be the last one standingthere at the end.

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Battlefield: The ziggurat can be as large as youwish, but the topmost platform should be no largerthan a 2-by-2-square area. Climbing the sloperequires Athletics checks as normal. The base Athietics DC to climb should be easy, but you can increasethe DC to moderate or hard if the walls are greasedor are particularly smooth.

Encounter Building: Although only one combatant can be declared the winner, characters can worktogether to eliminate the competition. Build encounters as normal, but use creatures one to two levelslower than the party level.

In addition to the opponents, the pyramid shouldfeature at least one trap on each face to make theascent every bit as dangerous as the fight at the top.

Variation: The Criterion at Balic runs a specialgame called Earthquake. Each gladiator is given ascarf, and a red scarfhangs from a pole at the centerof the elevated platform. The objective is to gain thescarf at the center as well as scarves from three othergladiators.

Aside from whatever other hazards adorn eachslope, the sides of the pyramid are formed from a gridof stepped 2-by-2-square columns. These sections riseand fall of their own accord. Each time a characterenters a new 2-by-2-square space, roll a d6. On aresult of 1—2, the column drops 1 square. On a resultof 3-4, no movement occurs. On a result of 5—6, thecolumn rises 1 square. When the column moves, itmakes the following attack.

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Shifting Column Terrain FeatureThe surface beneathyou trembles slightly, then shifts.

At-WillOpportunity Action Melee touchTrigger: A creature enters one of the squares on the top

surface of the column.Target: Each creature standing on the top surface of the

columnAttack: Encounter level + 3 vs. ReflexHit: The target falls prone.

WILDERNESS ENCOUNTERSWilderness encounters can be as varied as dungeoncombats, but they are more memorable when theytake place in large areas (as broad as an expansivecavern or room). Natural features such as canyonwalls, steep dunes, or thickets of tough, thorny brushwork as well as walls and ceilings for channelingmovement and circumscribing the action.

Battlefield: Some outdoor encounters, such asfights in ruins or through narrow defiles, are asconfined as common dungeon combats. More often,however, wilderness encounters take place in openareas. Ranged and area attacks are more importantin such spaces. Also, defenders and controllers havemore difficulty bottling up enemies and keepingthem from getting at the rear echelon party members.Set up a wilderness encounter in a confined or anopen area by using the following guidelines.

Terrain Battlefield SizeConfined 10 by 15 squares (one-quarter of a poster map)

OR 8 by 16 squares (two 8 x 8 tiles)Open 20 by 30 squares (a fuN poster map)

OR 16 by 24 squares (six 8 x 8 tiles)

Confined: On Athas, broken terrain, heavy vegetation, and poor visibility lead to more restrictedwilderness encounters. Combats in rocky badlands,boulder fields, mudflats, oases, or thick cacti stands,as well as battles at night or in blowing sand, fall intothis category. An encounter in a confined area shouldbegin with the combatants 10 squares away fromeach other.

Open: Longer-range encounters occur in rollingterrain featuring low brush or small dunes, or ona day breezy enough to kick up only a haze of dustand sand. Sandy waste, gravelly barrens, salt flats,brackish marsh, or scrub plains might be present inan open battlefield. An encounter in an open areashould begin with the combatants at least 20 squaresaway from each other.

Frequency and Difficulty: Another consideration for wilderness encounters is the desolation ofthe surroundings. Few creatures of any sort live inbarren environs, so encounters there should be fewerin number but more difficult. Conversely, verdantareas teem with life. Encounters in such places aremore frequent and closer in level to the party.

Desolate: These areas lack resources to sustain lifeto any significant degree. Encounters should not bemore frequent than once every few days. When theydo occur, combats and challenges should be veryhard (party level 4 or higher). Elites and solos canfill out XP budgets. Any creatures used should behardy enough to survive or to travel long distancesaway from more hospitable terrain.

Harsh: Harsh areas are somewhat more inhabitedthan desolate places. Sufficient water, prey, or plantsexist for more than a few creatures to survive. Aim forno more than one encounter every day or two. Combats should be hard (party level + 2 to party level + 4)because the characters have access to daily powers andall or nearly all their healing surges.

Marginal: Territories on the border between wastelands and verdant areas are marginal. These placesare frequented by nomads, raiders, predators, andother threats. Characters face one or two encountersevery day, and combats should be standard to hard(party level to party level + 2). A number ofdifferent kinds of creatures can be used for encounters inthese environments.

Verdant: These lands are densely populated.Encounters in these areas can be as frequent as youneed them to be; several fights in one day is fine.Combats can be anywhere from easy to hard (partylevel — 1 to party level + 3) and often include a largenumber of adversaries.

AMBUSH ENCOUNTEREnemies spring out from hidden positions when thecharacters move into the area.

Objective: The attackers use surprise and superior positioning to destroy the heroes. Predators useambushes to bring down their prey.

Battlefield: For an ambush to be effective, thebattlefield should have one point of easy entry and noobvious exits. The main area should be clear ofblocking terrain. The enemies should be scattered aroundthe periphery, hidden behind blocking or cover terrain, and separated from the characters by difficultterrain.

Encounter Building: Humanoid artillery, area-attack controllers, and ranged lurkers fire fromhidden positions, while hazards, traps, and meleewarriors keep the adventurers from closing on theambushers. Assailants need not be limited to intelligent foes. Many desert predators are cunningenough to take advantage of their environment, soyou can include hazards and challenging terrain insuch encounters.

Variations: The enemy could close off theentrance to the battlefield by triggering a landslideor toppling a rock spire. Numerous ambush sites alsoinclude pits to trap and separate adventurers.

HIT-AND-RUN ENCOUNTEREnemies emerge from the shadows, out of a duststorm, or from hiding. They strike quickly and fadeaway.

Objective: The enemy makes several strikes overthe course of a day, winnowing away the characters’resources. Eventually, the heroes are overwhelmed.

Battlefield: A hit-and-run encounter takes placeacross several battlefields. The attackers don’t stickaround long enough to become embroiled in a protracted fight. They strike fast and hard, targetingmore vulnerable characters with swift attacks beforeretreating into the surrounding countryside. Adventurers who chase after retreating attackers could runright into an ambush. Hit-and-run combats requireseveral escape routes, so difficult and blocking terrain should be minimized. Instead, use terrain thatprovides cover or concealment to hide the creatures’approach and maneuvering.

Encounter Building: Skirmishers are bestsuited for these encounters because they can movequickly and foil defenders’ abilities to lock down theirenemies. Hit-and-run encounters are often repeatedseveral times during a day, so don’t keep the attackers around long enough for more than a few of theirnumber to fall.

Variations: During one of the strikes, a lurkermight steal food and water, kill steeds, or sabotagevehicles. In such instances, a harsh environmentaids the raiders as the travelers are weakened byexposure.

THREE-SIDED ENCOUNTERThe adventurers happen across two other groupsengaged in a battle or are caught up in someone else’sfight as it rolls over their position. For example, theheroes might encounter dwarf miners defending theirwater from a braxat. They could also be overtaken bya mobile battle between a tribe of elves and a band ofgith.

Objective: Two groups regard each other with asmuch hostility as they do the adventurers. The lastgroup standing wins.

Battlefield: To accommodate the greater numberof participants, a three-sided fight ranges across awide area. The terrain should channel the party,keeping the characters from withdrawing to wait outthe battle and take on the survivors. Hazards, minions, and challenging terrain all provide incentive forthe heroes to join the battle.

Surr.undings ExamplesDesolateHarshMarginalVerdant

Salt flats, dust sinks, boulder fieldsMountains, stony barrens, sandy wastesScrub plains, rocky badlands, salt marshForests, mudflats, oases

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Encounter Building: The more creatures, thebetter in three-sided encounters. Use lower-levelopponents and minions to make sure both sides haveenough forces to divide their attention between eachother and the heroes.

Variations: Consider providing a means and arationale for the characters to forge an alliance withone side or the other. Doing so might require a skillchallenge using Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate. Ahero might save another creature from certain death,gaining at least a short-term alliance.

ATHASIAN SKILLCHALLENGESArena combats in the city-states and monsters in thewastelands are not the only perils on Athas. Adventurers under the crimson sun also face situations thatcan’t be overcome by combat. This section presentsfive samples of skill challenges that are likely to arisein a DARK SUN campaign.

FIND THE VEiLED ALUANCEAn underground organization called the VeiledAlliance protects preservers from assassination orpersecution by the sorcerer-kings. Finding membersof this clandestine group can be difficult. An arcanist can gain acceptance only by invitation, which isoffered if this challenge is successfully completed.The Alliance is painstaking in evaluating potentialmembers, so the process takes time. This challengemight evolve over several sessions and require discussions with more than one Veiled member.

ADVENTURE OPPORTUNiTiESAdventures in the Tyr Region are not difficult to find. Afew possibilities follow.+ Join a merchant caravan to help guard it against raid

ers, desert monsters, and other threats.4 Put down a crime gang plaguing the slums of a

city-state.+ Accept a noble or merchant house contract to

explore a newly discovered ruin.4 Accompany a Veiled Alliance agent into the lair of a

suspected defiler.+ Rescue a rebel leader from a templar prison.+ Accept a commission from a templar to deliver a

sealed message to another city-state.+ Root out a slaver network paying mercenaries to

kidnap people from small villages.+ Shield a preserving wizard unfairly identified as a

defiler against a rioting mob.+ Enter the arena as contestants to settle a grudge

match with a local enemy.4 Become silt pirates fighting greedy merchant houses

and the sorcerer-kings’ minions.

Level: Equal to the level of the party (XP equal tothe reward for three standard monsters of the party’slevel).

Complexity: 3 (requires 8 successes before 3failures).

STAGE 1: LOCATING ALLIANCE MEMBERSThe adventurers must first locate and identify members of the Alliance. They can do so by investigationor by discreetly using arcane magic in the rightplaces. The heroes need to accumulate 2 successes inthis stage before moving to the “Proving Your Worth”stage of the challenge.

Primary Skills: Arcana, Streetwise.Arcana (high DC by level): The character compe

tently displays a small measure of arcane magic forsomeone he or she suspects to be a member of theVeiled Alliance. This skill can be used to gain 2 successes in this stage of the challenge.

Streetwise (moderate DC by level): The characterinterprets subtle signs left by the Veiled Alliance anddiscreetly queries the right people to set up a meeting. This skill can be used to gain 2 successes in thisstage of the challenge.

Secondary Skills: Insight.Insight (hard DC by level): The character identifies

someone as a possible member of the Alliance or assympathetic to its cause. The next Arcana or Streetwise check made in this stage of the skill challengegains a +5 bonus.

STAGE 2: PROVING YOUR WORTHAfter a meeting with a sufficiently senior member ofthe Alliance is arranged, the candidate must establishthat he or she is committed to preserving, can aid theorganization, and is trustworthy.

Primary Skills: Arcana, Bluff, Diplomacy,special.

Arcana (moderate DC by level): By exhibiting magical aptitude, the character displays the competencerequired by the Alliance. This skill can be used togain a maximum of 1 success in this stage of thechallenge.

Bluff (hard DC by level): Only a hero who can usearcane powers can gain a success by using Bluff inthis stage of the challenge with this skill. By disguising arcane powers as psionic or primal ones, thecharacter displays his or her ability to keep the Alliance’s secrets safe. This skill can be used to gain amaximum of 1 success in this stage of the challenge.

Diplomacy (moderate DC by level): The characterimpresses the Alliance member with his or her dedication, strong moral character, and prowess. This skillcan be used to gain a maximum of 3 successes in thisstage of the challenge.

Special: If the character uses a powerful spell (suchas a daily power), a success is awarded in this stage ofthe challenge without requiring a skill check.

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Secondary Skills: Insight.Insight (moderate DC by level): The character dis

cerns what the Alliance member wants demonstratedand how best to go about doing that. Choose one ofthe primary skills. The next hero to make a check inthis stage of the challenge using that skill gains a +2bonus.

CONCLUSIONSuccess: If the characters achieve 8 successes,

those heroes who wish to join the Alliance receiveinvitations.

Failure: If the characters fail 3 checks in thischallenge, the Alliance is uncertain of their trustworthiness. The group requires a stronger gesture ofloyalty and competence. (You might allow the characters to attempt the skill challenge again, but at ahigher complexity.)

GOING TO GROUNDAdventurers who defy a sorcerer-king’s authority, killa templar, or run afoul of a noble or merchant housecan be set upon by enemies on all sides and have noeasy way out of the city. In this skill challenge, thecharacters attempt to avoid converging enemies. Withthe city gates blocked off and the walls watched, theheroes must lie low until the threat passes.

Before running this challenge, create two combatencounters equal to the party’s level. The first andsecond skill check failures also result in combat withone of these groups, as the enemy closes in.

In this challenge, each character makes one checkper hour. During each hour, the characters movethrough the city, interacting with locals, duckinginto alleys, and setting false trails as they try to stayone step ahead of their pursuers. Every hour, half thegroup members must make Endurance checks (see“Secondary Skills,” below); the remainder can makeother skill checks.



Primary Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, Bluff,Diplomacy, Intimidate, Stealth.

Acrobatics or Athletics (moderate DC by level): Thecharacter throws offpursuers by climbing a wall,muscling around impediments, or bulling throughcrowds. These skills can be used to gain a maximumof 4 successes in the challenge. Up to two characterscan aid this check.

Bluff (moderate DC by level; requires one prior successful Thievery check): The character uses stolen clothingto fashion a makeshift disguise. This skill can be usedto gain a maximum of 2 successes. One character canaid this check.

Diplomacy (hard DC by level): The characterconvinces a citizen to hide the party, to pretend igno Zrance of the heroes’ passage, or to help in some other ~way. This skill can be used to gain a maximum of 2successes in the challenge. Up to two characters canaid this check.

Intimidate (moderate DC by level): The character uses .i~

force or threats to coerce a passerby into helping theparty. This skill can be used to gain a maximum of 2 Dsuccesses in the challenge. Up to four characters can 0aid this check. In addition to counting as a failure inthe challenge, a failed Intimidate check increases the ~DCs of subsequent Bluff, Diplomacy, and Intimidatechecks by 2. Multiple failures lead to cumulativepenalties.

Stealth (hard DC by level): The character leads theparty past a patrol or through an open area withoutattracting attention. This skill can be used to gain amaximum of 2 successes in the challenge.

Secondary Skills: Bluff, Endurance, Perception,Streetwise, Thievery, special.

Bluff (hard DC by level): A character can attempta Bluff check to talk his or her way out ofbeingcaptured. If this check succeeds, 1 failure in the challenge is eliminated.

Endurance (moderate DC by level): Each hour, at leasthalf the characters participating in the skill challengemust make an Endurance check. Any character whofails this check loses a healing surge. A character wholoses all his or her healing surges falls behind andis captured. A character cannot make Endurancechecks in consecutive hours; he or she must make adifferent skill check or aid attempt in the hour aftermaking an Endurance check.

Perception (moderate DC by level): The characterspots a patrol, identifies a potential informant, orfinds a good place to hide for a time. A successfulPerception check grants a +2 bonus to the next Athletics check or Stealth check attempted by the samecharacter.

Streetwise (moderate DC by level): The characterrecalls a useful route or suitable hiding place. A successful check grants a +2 bonus to the next Athleticscheck and the next Stealth check made by the samecharacter. Each character can use Streetwise to gainthis benefit a maximum of two times during thischallenge.

Thievery (easy DC by level): The character stealsclothing or accessories that help disguise the party.A successful Thievery check allows that character touse Bluff as a primary skill (see above).

Special: Performing a Lullaby or Silence ritualgrants a +10 bonus to the next Stealth check madeby any character. Setting a hindrance for the enemyusing a Snare ritual grants 1 automatic success in thechallenge.

CHAPTER 6 Runnin8 a Dark Sun Game-p205

Success: If the characters achieve 8 successeswith no failures, they so thoroughly elude the pursuers that the locals believe the party has left the city.Success in the challenge despite 1 or 2 failed checksmeans the locals have abandoned a city-wide search,but they keep their eyes open for several days.

Failure: If the characters get 3 failures, they arecornered by a powerful group of enemies and forcedto surrender or fight.

GUIDING A CARAVANExpeditions across the desert, even along well-traveled roads, are notoriously chancy. Keeping a caravanintact requires good navigation, careful resourcemanagement, strong defense, and strong leadershipskills.

This challenge assumes that the adventurers andany caravan passengers have their own supplies ofsurvival days (see page xx). Increase the difficultyof all skill checks to the next category if the party orpassengers are not fully equipped or if the caravan isotherwise low on supplies. Each failure in the challenge also consumes 1 survival day of supplies foreach creature in the caravan.


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Complexity: 3 (requires 8 successes before 3 failures). This complexity assumes a fairly lengthy trip,such as one from Tyr to Gulg. A shorter trip (suchas from Urik to Raam) could be complexity 2, and alonger trip (such as from Tyr to Balic) could be complexity 4 or 5.

Primary Skills: Diplomacy, Endurance, Intimidate, Nature, Perception, special.

Diplomacy (easy DC by level): The character headsoff quarrels between the caravan’s personnel, makingsure all workers are relatively content. This skillcan be used to gain a maximum of 1 success in thischallenge.

Endurance (hard DC by level): The character presseson against the scorching sun and scathing windor takes on additional work, easing the burden ofexhausted workers. This skill can be used to gain amaximum of 4 successes in this challenge, but nocharacter can contribute more than 2 Endurancecheck successes.

Intimidate (moderate DC by level): The characterpushes the caravan or its pack animals forward mercilessly, making sure travel is efficient and no onelags. This skill can be used to gain a maximum of 2successes in this challenge.

Nature (moderate DC by level): The characterwatches out for bad weather and circumvents it,

locates shortcuts, or finds food and water. This skillcan be used to gain a maximum of 3 successes in thischallenge.

Perception (moderate DC by level): The characterspies signs of danger, such as bad weather on thehorizon or indications of an ambush. This skill canbe used to gain a maximum of 2 successes in thischallenge.

Special: Wilderness marauders frequently targetcaravans. You might want to stage a raid in themiddle of the challenge, possibly after the heroes faila Nature check. Overcoming this combat encountercounts as 1 success in the challenge.

Secondary Skills: Heal, Streetwise.Heal (hard DC by level): When a character fails an

Endurance check, another adventurer can make aHeal check to neutralize that failure (both in thechallenge and with regard to losing survival days).Heal can be used in this manner once during thechallenge.

Streetwise (moderate DC by level): This skill can beused only before the party begins traveling in thewilderness. With a successful Streetwise check, thecharacter gathers a good crew, granting a +1 bonus toEndurance, Nature, and Perception checks until theend of the challenge.

Success: If the characters achieve 8 successes,they reach the destination with the caravan largelyintact. The sponsoring merchant or authority ispleased.

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Failure: If the characters get 3 failures, they losesignificant portions of the caravan goods or need tostop at a different—possibly dangerous location shortof their destination.

QUIETiNG A TEMPI.AR’S SUSPICIONSTemplars are the gatekeepers and constables in a citystate. Invariably, the characters encounter a haughtybureaucrat whose suspicions cannot easily be put torest. Although a few templars are steadfast and incorruptible (if your storyline warrants it), the majoritycan be fooled, intimidated, or bribed. This approachis risky, however. If the heroes fail this skill challenge, the templar and any guards under his or hercommand attempt to arrest them, likely resulting incombat.

Level: Equal to the level of the party (XP equal tothe reward for one standard monster of the party’slevel).


Primary Skills: Bluff, Diplomacy, History,Insight, special.

Bluff (moderate DC by level): The character plies thetemplar with compliments, showing proper respectfor his or her station. Alternatively, the characterdelivers a plausible reason for moving through thegate or the area. Multiple successful Bluff checksmight lead the templar to drop a hint about a bribe(see below). This skill can be used to gain a maximum of 3 successes in this challenge. In addition tocounting as a failure in the challenge, each failedcheck also increases the templar’s suspicions, raisingthe DC for subsequent Bluff and Diplomacy checksattempted in the challenge by 2.

Diplomacy (moderate DC by level): The characterbargains with the templar, offering a bribe, information, or some other service in exchange for passage.Instead of counting as a success in the challenge,a successful check can remove the penalty from afailed Bluff check. Multiple successful Diplomacychecks also reveal that the templar is open to a bribe(see below). This skill can be used to gain a maximumof 2 successes in this challenge.

History (moderate DC by level): The character recallscomplimentary information about the sorcerer-kingor the city. Once the fact is shared, the templar basksin the praise. This skill can be used to gain a maximum of 1 success in this challenge. A failed checkleads the character to proclaim a fact that, after amoment’s thought, casts a dubious light on the city-state or sorcerer-king, annoying the templar.

Insight (easy DC by level): The character discernsthat the templar is greedily awaiting the offer of abribe (see below). This skill can be used to gain amaximum of 1 success in this challenge.

Special Bribe (requires 2 prior successes on Bluff~Diplomacy, or Streetwise checks): Giving the templarcurrency (or the equivalent) equal to one-tenth thepurchase price of a magic item of the party’s levelgrants the characters 1 automatic success in the skillchallenge. This tactic ccan be used to gain a maximum of 1 success in this challenge.

Secondary Skills: Intimidate, Streetwise.Intimidate (hard DC by level): The character threat

ens or implies dire consequences if the templardoesn’t permit passage. The characters gain a +2bonus to the next Bluff or Diplomacy check made inthe challenge.

Streetwise (moderate DC by level): The characterrecalls a fact about the sorts of bribes templars take.Two successful Streetwise checks opens the bribeoption (see above), indicating to the character howmuch to offer.

Success: If the characters get 4 successes, thetemplar ushers the adventurers through the gate orallows them to pass through the area, then forgets heor she ever saw them.

Failure: If the heroes fail 3 checks, the templarsuspects treachery and calls for guards. If the characters defeat the templar and the guards, they cancontinue on their way, although they might face otherconsequences during their time in the city.

SURVIViNG THE DESERTTravelers become stranded in the desert withoutproper supplies due to poor planning, attacks byraiders, or as punishment for angering authorities.Survival under the harsh sun for a short time withoutfood, water, or shelter is a harrowing ordeal for eventhe hardiest Athasians. This skill challenge simulates1 day of survival, including travel. Staying in oneplace makes the time pass no easier, and it leaves theparty in exactly the same predicament—desert-boundwith limited or no supplies. Sooner or later, the wasteland will bury them.



Primary Skills: Athletics, Endurance, Heal,Nature.

Athletics (moderate DC by level): The characterclimbs ledges, leaps across chasms, or trudgesthrough silt, helping the party bypass rough terrain.This skill can be used to gain a maximum of 2 successes in this challenge.

Endurance (hard DC by level): The character keepsmoving, shrugging off fatigue that threatens to overtaken him or her. This skill can be used to gain amaximum of 4 successes in this challenge.

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Heal (moderate DC by level): Using the meagerresources the party has, the character treats injuriesand soothes abrasions caused by heat and grit. Thisskill can be used to gain a maximum of 2 successes inthis challenge.

Nature (moderate DC by level): The character findsthe best path through the desert, identifies hazardsbefore the party runs into them, successfully huntsdown a creature for food, or finds a small amount ofwater. This skill can be used to gain a maximum of 4successes in this challenge.

Secondary Skills: Perception.Perception (moderate DC by level): The character

keeps a lookout for landmarks, dangers, or hazardousterrain. The next Nature check made in this challenge gains a +2 bonus.

DESERT SETBACKSAfter every two to four skill checks made in thischallenge (pick the most appropriate interval), theperilous environment causes a setback. Chooseone event from those described below and have thecharacters make a group check against the givenDC. Ifmore than half of the party members succeed,the heroes gain 1 success in the challenge (whichdoesn’t count against the maximum number of successes allowed for that skill). Ifnot, no failure in thechallenge occurs, but the adventurers all suffer theindicated detriment. Most entries describe an effectthat lasts until the next desert setback. Ifyou decideto break up this skill challenge with encounters, italso affects every ally and enemy present duringthose encounters.

Extreme Heat: If the party fails a group Endurance check (moderate DC by level), each adventurerloses a healing surge, which can’t be regained untilhe or she takes an extended rest and receives food orwater. Until the next setback, each character regainshalf the normal number ofhit points when he or shespends a healing surge.

Mirage: Led astray by an illusory image and afailed group Perception check (moderate DC bylevel), each character takes a -5 penalty to Naturechecks during the next set of checks in the skillchallenge.

Silt Storm: If the party fails a group Endurancecheck (hard DC by level), each character loses a healing surge, which can’t be regained until he or shetakes an extended rest and receives food or water.Until the next setback, each character takes a -5 penalty to Perception checks.

Treacherous Terrain: If the party fails a groupAcrobatics check (easy DC by level), each characterloses a healing surge. Until the next setback, eachcharacter takes a -2 penalty to Endurance checksfrom the drain on stamina caused by crossing theterrain.


CONCLUSIONSuccess: If the characters achieve 8 successes,

they survive the day. If they didn’t have any failures,you might give them 1 survival day of supplies (seepage xx) per party member consisting of scavengedwater and food.

Failure: If the characters achieve 3 failures, theharsh desert conditions take their toll. Each adventurer loses a healing surge. Until the heroes findsupplies or reach a safer place, they can’t regainany of the healing surges they’ve lost in this skillchallenge.

SECRET HISTORY OF ATHASMost Athasians have little understanding of the ancientworld. They are not aware of how the flowering realmsof the Green Age came to be the sun-baked ruins littering the wastes in current times. This summary covers thesecret history of the world. Other than the sorcerer-kings,few people know this story.

Toward the end of the Green Age, the gods of Athaswere destroyed or driven away by the victorious primordials, leaving the shrines of that time silent and empty.The destruction of the deities introduced a fault in theworld: the possibility of arcane magic. A powerful psionnamed Rajaat discovered this flaw and mastered thearcane arts. Because arcane magic was fundamentallyflawed, it was inherently destructive—it defiled the worldwith each use. Rajaat taught dozens of students thebasics of magic, but saved the deepest secrets of defilingfor a select group of disciples.

At the beginning of the Red Age, Rajaat commandedhis disciples—now known as his Champions—to reorderthe world by eliminating the races he considered impure.As the Champions waged the genocidal Cleansing Wars,their reckless defiling withered Athas. Forests and grasslands perished; the seas retreated and then vanished.Entire continents began to die, even where no Championhad set foot. Finally, the destruction gave the Championspause, and they returned to their master. Led by Borys theButcher, they overthrew Rajaat and imprisoned him in aplace of nothingness outside the world.

Rajaat’s imprisonment ended the Red Age and usheredin the Age of the Sorcerer-Kings, also called the DesertAge. Over the preceding centuries, the peoples of Athashad migrated toward the hospitable lands remaining inthe world. The Champions seized or founded city-statesin these regions, establishing themselves as the sorcererkings. Borys, the most powerful, transformed completelyand became the terrible Dragon ofTyr. On most of Athas,nothing resembling culture remained. Only in the TyrRegion did civilization survive under the tyranny of thesorcerer-kings. Now, after long centuries, the Age of theSorcerer-Kings might be coming to an end.

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TREASURE AND REWARDSMany features of the DARK SUN setting make itunique. One of the most prominent is society’s concentration on the present. People ofAthas do notremember. They do not look back through history’sveil to recall better days and dimmer threats. Recordsabout peoples, places, or cultures other than thosecurrently dominating a given region are not kept. Thereason is simple: Sorcerer-kings rule as immortals.As far as the people know, sorcerer-kings have alwaysbeen and always will be. This deception keeps thepopulace from imagining any other way of life.

In the course ofmaintaining their power, thetyrants seek out historical records and artifacts, plundering anything that adds to their personal powerand destroying everything else. Over the centuries,Athas’s rulers have purged the world ofknowledgeabout the time before their rule and how theycame to power. In a land stripped of its history andartifacts, heroes have few opportunities to pluck cherished prizes from dusty ruins.

The historical barrenness ofAthas is exacerbatedby its general resource-poor nature. As a result,adventurers cannot hoard wealth and accumulatemagic items as they might in another setting. Thevalued accoutrements simply do not exist.

Of course, this background can be ignored, andtreasure parcels can be doled out according to thestandard model in the Dungeon Master’s Guide. Acampaign on Athas takes on a different dimension,however, when alternative rewards are seeded intothe treasure parcels characters gain. To enhance thesetting’s unique qualities, consider adapting treasuredistribution according to the following guidelines.

FixED ENHANCEMENTBONUSThe Dungeon Master is strongly encouraged to adoptthe following standard for his or her DARK SUN campaign, and fixed enhancement bonuses will be theorganized play standard.

At heart, a magic item’s purpose is to ensure thata character has the defenses and accuracy neededto confront the challenges of the game world. Magicweapons and implements keep attack modifiershigh, while neck slot items and armor help ensurethat characters survive their encounters. Replacingmagic items with alternative rewards means fewerchances for the heroes to acquire key items. Withouta means to compensate for such decreased resources,characters’ capacities would lag behind those of theiropponents. Encounters at any given level becomemore challenging and character death more frequent.

You can redress the magic equipment shortageby adopting a set of fixed enhancement bonusessimilar to those detailed in Dungeon Master’s Guide2 (in the sidebar on page 138). At discrete levels,characters gain flat bonuses to attack rolls, damagerolls, and defenses. These flat bonuses do not stackwith enhancement bonuses gained from magicitems, and they progress at a slightly slower rate. Asa result, magic swords, armor, and amulets retaintheir appeal. Use the following table to assign fixedenhancement bonuses to player characters based ontheir levels.

FIXED ENHANCEMENT BONUSES

1st +0 +0 16th +3 +32nd +1 +0 17th +4 +33rd +1 +0 18th +4 +34th +1 +1 19th +4 +45th +1 ÷1 20th +4 +46th +1 +1 21st +4 ÷47th +2 +1 22nd +5 +48th +2 +1 23rd +5 +49th +2 +2 24th ÷5 +510th +2 +2 25th +5 +511th +2 +2 26th +5 +512th +3 +2 27th +6 +513th +3 +2 28th +6 +514th +3 +3 29th +6 +615th +3 +3 30th +6 +6* When you score a critical hit, you deal 1d6 extra

damage per point of fixed enhancement bonus to theattack roll.

PARCELSIf fixed enhancement bonuses are adopted, thenumber of magic item parcels awarded at each levelshould be decreased. For groups with four or morecharacters, remove the parcels granting the highest-level and lowest-level magic items (parcels 1 and 4).With smaller groups, reduce the magic item parcelsby one (usually parcel 1).

COLORFUL iTEMSWhen heroes do find magic items, the flavor ofAthascan be brought out in the details of those treasures.

Ancient Items: All kinds of magic items werecrafted in the long-forgotten eras of ancient Athas.Anachronistic decorations or elaborate design mightbe featured on something as simple as a belt ofvigor.Such an unassuming item could provide informationcrucial to a quest or make the difference betweensurvival and death in the sands.

7--CHAPTER 6 Runnin8 a Dark Sun Game

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Attack! Attack/Level Damage* Defenses Level Damage* Defenses

6

Masterwork Armor: You can give charactersmasterwork armor as a reward. Use the lowest-levelmagic armor made from that type of masterworkarmor as your guideline. For example, a suit ofmixshell armor (equivalent to wyrmscale armor; see thesidebar on page xx) has a minimum enhancementbonus of +4. Because +4 magic armor is a level 16magic item, this masterwork armor counts as an itemof that level.

Metal: At higher levels, the special nature of amagic item can be evident from its material and condition. A metal sword might be pulled from an ancientcitadel buried by sand for untold centuries. The item,whatever its state, is a great treasure. If it retains asharp edge after all those years, it is more wondrous.That condition suggests it is no mundane blade.

Potions and Elixirs: Normal magic potions (asdescribed in other books) don’t exist on Athas, buttheir effects can be duplicated. Exotic fruits or tubersmight heal or produce other magical effects. Ritualcasters who brew potions do so by infusing magic intospecific victuals. Alchemists who would, on otherworlds, concoct magical solutions instead use a formofherbalism to alter a comestible’s nature.

Psionic Items: Certain templars and nobles construct magic items using psionic techniques. Theseitems usually provide mental protection, primarilyfrom the head or neck slot.

ALTERNATIVE REWARDSMagic items are less common on Athas than in otherDUNGEON & DRAGONS worlds. To represent this difference, you can use alternative rewards to replace someof the magic items the characters would ordinarilyfind during their adventures. After five levels or so(at your discretion), an alternative reward might fadeaway or improve to reflect each hero’s growing poweror a new development in the campaign.

Coinage in most DUNGEONS & DRAGONS games ishoarded to acquire or create additional magic items.Given the scarcity of magic items on Athas, characters have few opportunities to invest their wealth inthis way. As a result, heroes spend more heavily onvehicles, mounts, alchemical items, consumable items,and ritual components. Eventually, characters runout of items to purchase with their treasure. Ratherthan let the gold pile up, consider substituting otherrewards for monetary parcels, as detailed below.

An alternative reward might rely on a story component that must be fulfilled before the reward canbe gained. These story components could function asminor quests, be tied to a major quest, or be gained atthe start of a new adventure. Qualifying for a trainingreward might require finding a mentor and convincing him or her to impart some secret knowledge. Asorcerer-king might grant a character a potent boonfor performing a service. Primal spirits could convey


their wisdom to a vigilant protector. Locations caneven impart a particular reward to a worthy or cleverchampion. The rewards discussed below are tailoredspecifically to Athas. You can devise other alternativerewards based on the magical properties of the itemsfrom your players’ wish lists.

For more advice on using rewards other thanmoney and magic items, see the “AlternativeRewards” section on page 136 ofDungeon Master’sGuide 2.

FAVORSThe movers and shakers on Athas are corrupt andwicked tyrants. Even the worst of them, however,understand the value of awarding favors or repaying debts. A sorcerer-king might favor a party thatstymies or undermines a hated rival. A noble couldsponsor adventurers who regularly advance his or herinterests during their activities.

For the most part, favors provide no gamemechanic benefit. They can, however, open the wayto sumptuous living conditions, ample water supplies,contact with powerful figures, or access to rituals. Anadventurer takes on challenges with greater confidence when a powerful sponsor offers to restore hisor her life at little or no cost.

The easiest way to handle a favor is to assign ita gold piece value. You can reward a favor from aparticular individual or faction in place of one ormore monetary parcels during a level. In essence, thecharacters build up credit with those who grant themfavor, and they can “spend” that favor by calling uponthat individual or faction for resources.

Once a group of characters has gained favor withan individual or a faction, the characters can call onthat sponsor as long as they are in the right locationand the event is appropriate for the storyline. Forexample, the support of the Veiled Alliance is moreeasily taken advantage of in a city-state than whilevisiting an isolated fort belonging to a merchanthouse. You determine the amount of time it takes toobtain the favor requested, ranging from immediatelyto hours or days.

Each time the characters call in a favor, deduct thecost of those requests from the overall value of thefavor. Tangible requests such as mounts, ritual ingredients, and ritual scrolls reduce the group’s “favoraccount” according to their normal price.

A favor reward can be used to obtain objects orservices (such as having a ritual performed on theparty’s behalf). Certain benefactors might be limitedin their ability to grant specific requests, however.For example, favor with a noble could be exchangedfor supplies, mounts, vehicles, shelter, bribes for ternplars, and specialized training. Favor with a templar,on the other hand, might instead be exchanged forrituals, psionic boons, or magic items that had beenconfiscated as contraband.

Intangible Favor: Sometimes, heroes seek tocall on favor in exchange for less tangible benefit.An introduction to a renowned master, access to arestricted area in the middle of the night, or beingassigned a weak first opponent in a series ofgladiatorial events are examples of intangible benefits.

Favors of this sort are not easy to assign monetaryvalues to, but sometimes a good approximation ispossible. For example, a party seeking answers tocertain questions might be required to reduce thevalue of its favor reward by 400 gp (the componentcost for the Consult Mystic Sages ritual). If no suitable approximation presents itself, deduct 5-10percent of the party’s overall favor reward for arequest you consider minor and 20 percent or moreone you consider major.

Arena Glory Favor: The arena is the warrior’s crucible. Before massive crowds, gladiators fight and diefor the people’s pleasure. Anyone can survive a matchas a matter ofsheer luck. Those combatants who survive several matches are special their skill, talent, anddetermination do not go unnoticed. Characters whomake regular appearances in the arena rise from anonymity as they emerge victorious time and again.

Characters can acquire glory by winning an arenamatch. Sometimes being alive at the end is sufficient,but most times the heroes must achieve more in theway ofvictory conditions. When a party achievesarena glory, it gains favor with the people of the city-state. Even those denizens who do not attend thematches come to know the characters’ reputations.City folk are more likely to give aid to popular gladiators, allowing the characters to reap the rewards oftheir spreading fame.

Arena glory favor can be spent to obtain goods,items, or legitimate services, such as shelter and sustenance, throughout the region controlled by the localcity-state. Arena glory can also be used to buy gloryboons (page xx).

PUTTING iT ALL TOGETHERUsing the information presented in this section, the following is an example of how you might prepare rewardsfor a DARK SUN campaign adventure, Initially, drop the firstand last magic item parcel from the list (Dungeon Master’sGuide, page 126). Assuming the heroes are 5th level, thateliminates the level 9 and level 6 magic items. You couldchoose a +2 obsidian pact blade dagger as the level 8 item(a gift to the party’s templar warlock from her sorcerer-king) and a fearsome reputation glory boon as the level 7item (for the party’s goliath gladiator). Combining parcels5 and 6, you might award 1,050 gp worth of favor withthe Veiled Alliance. Parcels 7 and 8 become 680 gp inNibenay ceramic currency, and parcel 9 is converted into22 survival days (valued at 110 gp) and a potion fruit ofhealing. Parcel 10 retains its form as a 100 gp gem and10 gold pieces.

SURVIVAI. DAYS AND WATERTravel between the city-states is dangerous at best.Even with ample supplies and proper saleguards,travelers are at risk from sandstorms, raiders, thirst,exhaustion, and the punishing sun. The DARK SUN

setting abstracts necessary supplies through the useof survival days. These expendable resources accountfor food, water, proper clothing, and other supplies.Each survival day allows a single character to travelin the dangerous wastes ofAthas for one day withoutbeing subjected to starvation or thirst.

Provisions can be doled out in place of monetarytreasure, at the converted value of 5 gp per survivalday. Characters might find a water cask on the backof a wagon, harvest nectar globules from a kank, oruncover a potable reservoir in an old ruin. Converting these supplies to survival days grants the heroesmeaningful treasure they can use right away.

In most communities, water is as strong a currency as coin. The city states ration water to citizensby circulating ceramic pieces. Each token can beexchanged for a pint ofwater drawn from a city-controlled well. Ceramic pieces have a gold piece valueand can be traded for an equivalent amount ofgoodsor services within the issuing city. This equivalencydoes not extend beyond the city-state’s region, however. Thus, travelers either trade these tokens for goldor invest them in survival days.

ECHOES OF POWERDesert ruins and sorcerer-king citadels overflow witharcane and psionic energy. Primal spirits gather inthe few verdant places remaining on Athas. Visitingsuch a place might bestow a lasting reward, such asone of the types described below.

Echo of the Crystal Forest Level 18Rising from the center of the Ciystal Fdrest is an obsidian plateau. After you ascend it,youfeel your skin beginning to harden.Even after you leave, a vestige of that quality remains with you.

Echo of Power 85,000 gpPower (Encounter): Immediate Interrupt. Trigger: You take

damage from an attack. Effect. You gain resist 5 to alldamage against the triggering attack:

Echo of the Tree of Life Level 16A majestic tree of life instills a healing boon on the worthy.

Echo of Power 45,000 gpProperty: You gain a +2 item bonus to Heal checks and to

any skill checks related to the performance of a scryingritual.

Power (Daily + Healing): Standard Action. An ally adjacent to you can spend a healing surge and regain additional hit points equal to half your healing surge value.

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Gift of Thirsting Salt Level 6+

Eerie white crystals suspended within your body surface to absorb the bIood~you spill in combat, then heal you.

Lvi 6 1,800 gpLv116 45,000gp

Elemental GiftPower (b~ily 4 Healing): Free Action. Trigger: You hit and

damage an enemy with a melee attack. Effect You regain10 hit points, or 20 hit points if you scored a critical hit.Level 16: You regain 15 hit points, or 30 hit points if you

scored a critical hit.Level 26: You regain 20 hit points, or 40 hit points if you

scored a critical hit.

Lv126 l,l25,000gp

/

Level 6+

Your complexion assumes a ruddy hue, reflecting your inner

Lv16 l,800gp Lvl26 1,125,000gpLv116 45,000gp

Elemental GiftProperty: You gain resist 5 fire.

Level 16: Resist 10 fire.Level 26: Resist 15 fire.

Power (Daily 4 Fire): Minor Action. Fire erupts from oneweapon you are wielding. Until the end of your nextturn, attacks made with that weapon deal 1 d6 extra firedamage.Level 16: 2d6 extra fire damage.Level 26: 3d6 extra fire damage.

Level 12

You drink yourfihlfrom a tranquil oasis, and healing poursfrom you.

Elemental Gift 13,000 gpPower (Daily 4 Healing): Standard Action. You and each

of your allies within a close burst 5 can make a savingthrow or spend a healing surge as a free action.

Spirit of Sand

Beloved Performer

Level 2+

Lv122 325,000gp


ELEMENTAL. GiFTElemental spirits and powers exert a palpable influence in certain areas ofAthas. An adventurer mightgain a blessing by communing with these entities.

Gift of Fire

fire.

Calling forth the deserts ~power, you produce a short lived blastofscreaming wind andbiting sand.

Lv12 520gpLvll2 l3,000gp

Elemental GiftPower (b~ily 4 Zone): Free Action. Trigger: You hit an

enemy with an attack. Effed.. You create a zone in a closeburst 1 that lasts until the end of your next turn. Squareswithin the zone are lightly obscured. You can slide anycreature that starts its turn within the zone 1 square.Level 12: You create a zone in a close burst 2.Level 22: You create a zone in a close burst 3.

GLORY BooNsArena fighters put their lives on the line daily, butthey can earn widespread fame and glory.

Battle-Scarred Champion Level 3

Each scar marring your body recalls a past glory and the opponents whofell to your blade.

Lvl3 68Ogp Lv123 425,000gpLv113 l7,000gp

Glory BoonProperty: You gain a 1 item bonus to your healing surge

value.Level 13: +2 item bonus.Level 23: +3 item bonus.

Power (Daily): lmmediateReaction. Trigger: An enemybloodies you, but does not reduce you to 0 hit points orfewer. Effect You make a melee basic attack against thetriggering enemy.

Level 1+

The peopleflock to the arena to witness your daring escapadesand listen to your mocking wit.

Lvll 36Ogp Lv121 225,000gpLvlll 9,000gp

Glory BoonProperty: You gain a 1 item bonus to Acrobatics checks

and Bluff checks.Level 11: +2 item bonus.Level 21: +3 item bonus.

Power (Daily): Immediate Reaction. Trigger: An enemymarks you. Effect That mark ends, and you shift 1 square.

Gift of Rain

212

Fearsome Reputation

Relentless Spirit

Spirit Eyes

Level 7+

Lvi 27 1,625,000 gp

Level 8

Level 18

Andropinis’s Authority

Lv126 1,125,000gp

Lv128 2,125,000gp

Level 9+

Lvi 29 2,625,000 gp

CHAPTER 6 Running a Dark Sun Game~~213

Wrathful Spirit Level 6+ ~1’)~

Even the most intrepid gladiators pause when they learn that The spirits residingin you cannot be contained, and theirfury ~you are to be their next opponent. man~fests inyourferocious attacks.

Lvl 7 2,600 gp Lvi 6 1,800 gpLvi 17 65,000 gp Lvi 16 45,000 gp

Glory Boon Primal BlessingProperty: You gain a +1 item bonus to intimidate checks. Property: While you are bloodied, you gain a +1 item bonus

Level 17: +2 item bonus. to damage rolls.Level 27: +3 item bonus. Level 16: +2 item bonus. uJ

Power (Daily + Fear): Free Action. Triggen You score a Level 26: +3 item bonus.critical hit against an enemywith a weapon attack. Effect: Power (Daily): Immediate Reaction. Trigger: An enemy D

LI,That enemy and each enemy adjacent to it take a 2 bloodies you, but does not reduce you to 0 hit pointspenalty to attack rolls until the end of your next turn, or fewer. Effect: Until the end of your next turn, you roll .~j

damage twice and use either result.

PRiMAL BLESSiNGAthas’s primal spirits crave vengeance for the degra- SoRcERER-KiNG’S BOONdation of their world. They visit their wrath on any The sorcerer-kings favor characters who serve themwho despoil their lands. With the proper sacrifices well. The most valued champions gain boons thatand respect, you might instead earn their favor, supplement their talents and protect them from

ambitious rivals. Such blessings are never givenBlessing of Blazing Fangs Level 4+ lightly and can be taken away at the tyrant’s whim.Pain sears your neck, but you do not scream. From this dayforth, you proudly display the burn scarsfrom the spirit’s bite. Abalach-Re’s Deception Level 8+

Lvi 4 840 gp Lvi 24 525,000 gp The Grand Vizier’s hold on Raam might be tenuous, but onlyLvi 14 21,000 gp fools mistake the instabilityfor weakness.

Primal Blessing Lvi 8 3,400 gpProperty: When you take fire damage, you deal 2 extra Lvi 18 85,000 gp

damage with all attacks until the end of your next turn. Sorcerer-King’s BoonYou can choose to make this extra damage fire damage. Power (Daily + Fear): i~4inor Action. Each creature adjaLevel 14: 3 extra damage. cent to you takes a 2 penalty to attack rolls until theLevel 24: 4 extra damage. end of its next turn.

Power (Daily + Fire): Minor Action. The next time you Power (Daily + Teleportation): Immediate Interrupt.hit with an attack before the end of your next turn, that Triggen An enemy hits you with an attack. Effect: Youattack deals 1 dl 2 extra fire damage. swap positions with one ally within 3 squares, and theLevel 24: 2d1 2 extra fire damage. ally is hit by the triggering attack.

Level 18: You swap positions with an ally within 5 squares,and you and the ally gain a +1 bonus to all defenses untilthe start of your next turn.

Level 28: You swap positions with an ally within 10squares, and you and the ally gain a +2 bonus to alldefenses until the start of your next turn.

Fueled by the pain ofyour wounds, primal spirits push you togreater efforts.

Primal Blessing 3,400 gpProperty: When you use your second wind, you can shift 1

square as a free action.Power (Daily): Immediate Reaction. Trigger: An enemy

bloodies you, but does not reduce )‘ou to 0 hit points orfewer. Effect: You gain temporary hit points equal to yourhealing surge value.

Granted added sensitivity by guiding primal spirits, your eyesight pierces shadow and illusion.

Primal Blessing 85,000 gpProperty: Your attacks ignore concealment.Power (Daily): Minor Action. You can see invisible crea

tures until the end of your next turn.

Andropinis claims to have been elected, but that event exerts noconditions on his dominion. Loyal’retainèrs can be vested with ameasure of his boundless authority.

Lv19 4,200gpLvii 9 105,000 gp

Sorcerer-King’s BoonProperty: You gain a +2 item bonus to Diplomacy checks

and Intimidate checks.Power (Daily + Psychic, Zone): Standard Action. You

create a zone in a close burst 3. The zone lasts until theend of your next turn. Each ally within the zone deals1 d6 extra psychic damage with any attack that does notinclude you as a target.Level 19: 2d6 extra psychic damage.Level 29: 3d6 extra psychic damage.

Lalali-Puy’s Blessing Level 7+

Lvi 27 1,625,000 gp

Tectuktitlay’s Sacrifice

Mental Block

Lvi 28 2,1 25,000 gp

Level 10+

Lvi 30 3,1 25,000 gp

Level 4+

Lvi24 525,000gp


Nibenay’s Cruel Reminder Level 8+

The enigmatic Shadow King is rarely involved in the governanceofNibenay. He leaves it to his!favored to ensure that no oneforgets who rules the city.

Lvi8 3,400gpLvil8 85,000gp

Sorcerer-King’s BoonPower (Encounter): Free~Action. Trigger You use an

encounter or daiiy attack powerand miss all targets.Effect The next attack you make before the end of yournext turn deals 1d6 extra damage to the first target it hits.Level 18: 2d6 extra damage.Level 28: 3d6 extra damage.

Power (Daily): immediate interrupt. Trigger An enemyhits you with an attack while you are adjacent to anally. Effect You take half the damage from the triggeringattack, and the ally adjacent to you takes the other half.That ally gains a +1 power bonus to attack rolls againstthe triggering enemy until the end of ti~e ally’s next turn.Level 18: +2 power bonus.Level 28: +3 power bonus.

Hamanu’s Terrible Roar Level 6+

Whenyou speak with the voice of the King of the World, allcreatures around you tremble.

Lvi 6 1,800gp Lvi 26 l,l25,000gpLvii 6 45,000 gp

Sorcerer-King’s BoonProperty: Whenever you hit a target with a power that

pushes the target, you can push the target 1 extra square.Property: Whenever you hit a target with a thunder power,

the target is deafened (save ends).Power (Daily + Thunder): Standard Action. Effect Make

an attack: Ciose blast 3 (creatures in blast): ievei + 2 vs.Fortitude; Hit: 1 d6 thunder damage, and the target ispushed 1 square and deafened (save ends).Level 16: Close blast 3 (creatures in blast): ievei + 4 vs.

Fortitude; Hit: 2d6 thunder damage, and the target ispushed 2 squares and deafened (save ends).

Level 26: Close blast 5 (creatures in blast): levei + 6 vs.Fortitude; Hit: 2d6 thunder damage, and the target ispushed 2 squares and deafened (save ends).

Kalak’s Echo Level 10+

Kalak’s sway was not extinguished with his death infree Tyr.Strength can be grasped by those who serve his memory.

Lvii 0 5,000 gp Lvi 30 3,1 25,000 gpLv120 125,000gp

Sorcerer-King’s BoonProperty: Select a ievei 1 at-wiil attack power from an

arcane class. You can use that power as an encounterpower.

Power (Daily): Free Action. Trigger: You use an arcaneattack power and miss all targets. Effect You reroil oneattack roil of the triggering power.Level 20: You reroil up to two attack rolls.Level 30: You reroll up to three attack roils.

The rapacious and spiteful Father ofLife demands regularsacrifices.

LvliO S,000gpLv120 l25,000gp

Sorcerer-King’s BoonProperty: When you reduce a nonminion enemy to 0 hit

points, you can make a saving throw as a free action.Power (Daily): Immediate Reaction. Trigger: An ally you

can see reduces a creature to 0 hit points. Effect That aliyshifts 1 square and makes a basic attack as a free action.Level 20: That ally shifts 1 square and makes a basic attack

as a free action with a +2 bonus to the attack roil and a+2 bonus to the damage roli.

Level 30: That ally shifts 1 square and makes a basic attackas a free action with a +3 bonus to the attack roii and a+6 bonus to the damage roli.

TEMP1.AR BRANDSCertain sorcerer-kings and templars subject slaves toarcane experimentation. The defiling magic warpssome slaves, scarring them forever.

Those who please the €~bafind that her blessing affords themprotectionfrom their enemies.

Lvi7 2,600gpLvil7 65,000gp

Sorcerer-King’s BoonProperty: When you start your turn with concealment

because of obscured squares, you retain that concealmentuntii the end of your next turn even if you ieave the squarethat granted you concealment.

Power (Daily + Poison): Free Action. Trigger: You hit anenemy with a weapon attack. Effect: That enemy takes1 d6 extra poison damage.Level 17: 2d6 extra poison damageLevel 27: 4d6 extra poison damage.

Exposed to mind rupturing magicforyears,you learned toblock out the pain.

Lv14 840gpLvi 14 2l,000gp

Tempiar BrandProperty: You gain resist 5 psychic and a +2 item bonus to

saving throws against fear or charm effects.Level 14: Resist 10 psychic.Level 24: Resist 1 5 psychic.

Power (Daily): No Action. Trigger: You are subject to a fearor charm effect. Effect You make a saving”throw againstthe triggering effect. On a save, the effect ends.

214

VEiLED ALLIANCE MYSTERIESIn its struggle against the sorcerer-kings, the VeiledAlliance rewards its most powerful members withadvanced study and enhancing ceremonies.

Mystery of the Hidden Veil Level 3+

Through misdirection and concealingmagic, you obscure yourspellcastin8.

Lv13 680gpLv18 3,400gpLvl13 17,000gp

Veiled Alliance MysteryProperty: You gain a +1 item bonus to Bluff checks.

Level 13 or 18: +2 item bonus to Bluff checks.Level 23 or 28: +3 item bonus to Bluff checks.

Power (Daily + Illusion): Free Action. Trigger: You use anarcane power. Effect: You become invisible until the endof your next turn, and you can shift 1 square.Level 8: Shift 2 squares.Level 13: Shift 3 squares.Level 18: Shift 4 squares.Level 23: Shift 5 squares.Level 28: Shift 6 squares.

WANDERER’S SECRETSHaving spent countless hours wandering the wastelands, you have learned to ignore the punishing heatand to navigate the unforgiving landscape.

Secret of Life’s PersistenceYour body is accustomed to the harsh environment, lettin8 youtolerate the wasteland’s dangers.

Wanderer’s Secret 1,800 gpProperty: You gain a +1 item bonus to Fortitude.Power (Dailç’): Free Action. Trigger You make an

Endurance check or Nature check and dislike the result.Effect You reroll the check and use either result.

Secret of the Crimson Sun Level 16

You are inured to the harsh Athas sun, and you can share thathardiness with your allies.

Wanderer’s Secret 45,000 gpProperty: You and four other creatures within 10 squares of

you gain the benefit of the Endure Elements ritual.Power (Encounter): Immediate Reaction. Trigger: An ally

you can see fails an Endurance check. Effect That allyrerolls the check.

Secret of the Wandering Dune Level 12

You race across desert dunes without impediment.

Wanderer’s Secret 13,000 gpProperty: You ignore difficult terrain that results from sand,

silt, or similar loose terrain. --

Power (Encounter): Free Action. Trigger: You take a runaction. Effect: You move your speed + 4 and do not grantcombat advantage from running.

Closed Mind Level 3+

By erecting mental bulwarks, you ward yourselfagainst hostilepsychic attacks.

Lvl3 680gp Lvl23 425,000gpLv113 17,000gp

Secret of the WayProperty: You gain resist 5 psychic.

Level 13: Resist 10 psychic.Level 23: Resist 1 5 psychic.

Power (Daily): Immediate Interrupt. Trigger An attack targets your Will. Effect You gain a 2 power bonus to Willuntil the start of your next turn.

Focused Static Level 2

You learn to project~your thoughts to scramble your enemies’minds.

Lv12 520gp Lvl22 325,000gpLvll2 13,000gp

Secret of the WayPower (Daily): Free Action. Trigger You score a critical hit

against an enemy by using a psionic power. Effect: Thatenemy takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end ofyour next turn.Level 12: That enemy takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls

(save ends).Level 22: That enemy is dazed and takes a -2 penalty to

attack rolls (save ends both).


Lvll8 85,000gpLvl23 425,000gpLvl28 2,125,000gp

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SECRETS OF THE WAYThe Way reveals its secrets to practitioners who showpatience and dedication. For some devotees, these

Level 6 breakthroughs manifest in odd and inexplicablemanners.

SAMD RAiDERSSand Raiders is a short adventure for 1st-level characters, ideal for introducing the world ofAthas to yourplayers. The heroes are gathered at the small tradingtown ofAltar.uk in the Tablelands. You can begin thesession by asking the players to introduce their characters and explain how they came to Altaruk.

Read:Soon after you arrive, afierce sandstorm blows over thetown. Thefollowing day, a ragged House Wavir caravancrawls through the town gates, reporting that one ofitswagons has gone missing with valuable cargo aboard. Thehead ofthe Wavir trade post in Altaruk, a Balican dwarfnamed Rhotan Vor, offers a reward of 100 gpto the groupthatfinds the lost wagon and retrieves its cargo ofgrain,wine, and wood. You andyour companionsform into a

search party. Afrw miles outside town, you stumble acrossa portion ofthe wagon’s tracks not buried by the previousday’s storm.

In this adventure, the characters first encounter aband of silt runners lying in wait for anyone lookingfor the wagon. Later, when the characters arrive atthe wreckage of the wagon, they meet a pack of fiercekruthiks. Furrows in the sand lead from the wreckedwagon to a ruined watchtower. There, the adventurers discover the silt runners hoarding the cargo in thecellars below.

Map: The three encounters in this adventure arenot directly connected they’re a mile or so apartfrom each other across a sandy waste. Tracks in thesand lead the heroes from one encounter to the next.

ENCOUNTER S-i: HUNTiNG PARTY

Encounter Level 1 (500 XP)

SETUP3 silt runner ragers (R)2 silt runner darters (D)

After the sandstorm of the previous day, the silt runners emerged from their shelter and soon discoveredthe Wavir wagon. They swarmed over the drivers,looted the wagon, and then the leader of the bandsent the group ofwarriors described in this encounter to follow whatever wagon tracks remained backto their source. This group paused to argue overthe tracks shortly before the characters appear onthe scene. The reptilian humanoids spot the heroesapproaching over the open desert and prepare anambush among the rocks.

When the characters reach the encounter area,read:The day is brutally hot. A sweltering breeze kicks up a hazeofdust. Following the wagon’s tracks as they appear anddisappear in the sands, you come to ajumble oforangeboulders and creosote bushes.

Do not set up the silt runners yet. Have the playersplace their miniatures near the X on the map, andthen call for a group Perception check (DC 17). If atleast half the adventurers succeed, the party spotsone or more of the ragers before they spring theirambush. In that case, the characters aren’t surprised.Otherwise, the silt runners gain a surprise round.

When the characters spot the silt runners or thesilt runners attack, read:The desert echoes with a sudden outburst ofhigh pitchedhissing and battle cries in a harsh language. Five small,hunched reptilian creatures carrying spears, daggers, andblowguns leap outfrom their hiding places. Their mouthsarefull ofsharpfangs, and they dart over the sands withgreat speed.

If any heroes understand Draconic, they can makeout cries of “Meat! Meat!” in that language.

TRAITS

Silt Runner SwarmAny enemy that starts its turn adjacent to two or more silt runners takes 2 damage.

STANDARD ACTIONS

CD Bone Spear (weapon) + At-WillAttack: Melee 2 (one creature); +6 vs. ACHit: 2d6 + 5 damagc.

+ Brutal Spear (weapon) + Recharge when first bloodiedAttack: Melee 2 (one creature); +6 vs. ACHit: 4d6 +4 damage.

+ Penetrating Spear (weapon) + EncounterRequirement: The rager must be bloodied.Attack: Melee 2 (one creature); +6 vs. ACHit: 4d6 + 4 damage, and the target gains vulnerable 5 to alldamage until the end of the rager’s next turn.

Skills Athletics +5, Stealth +7Str 11 (+0) Dcx 15 (+2) Wis 14(+2)Con 14(+2) mt 6(-2) Cha 10(+0)Alignment unaligned Languages DraconicEquipment bone spear

3 Silt Runner Ragers (R) Level 1 BruteSmall natural humanoid (reptile) XP 100 eachHP 34; Bloodied 17AC 13, Fortitude 13, Reflex 13,WiII 13Speed 7

Initiative +2Perception +2

Low-light vision

216

HP 25; Bloodied 12AC 13, Fortitude 11, Reflex 14, Will 13Speed 7TRAITS

Slit Runner SwarmAny enemy that starts its turn adjacent to two or more silt runners takes 2 damage.

STANDARD ACTIONS

~3 Wooden Dagger (weapon) + At-WillAttack: Melee 1 (one creature); +6 vs. ACHit 1d4+~ damage.

® Blowgun (weapon) + At-WillAttack: Ranged 12 (one creature); +8 vs. ACHit: ldlO + 4 damage.

3’ Poison Dart (poison, weapon) + Recharge ~j ~Attack: Ranged 12 (one creature); +6 vs. FortitudeHit: 2d1 0 + 3 poison damage, and the target is immobilized

(save ends).Aftereffect: The target is slowed (save ends).

Miss: Half damage, and the target is slowed until the end of thedarter’s next turn.

Skills Athletics +5, Stealth +9Str 10 (+0) Dexl8(+4) Wlsl4(+2)Con 13 (+1) Int6 (-2) Cha 11 (+0)Alignment unaligned Languages DraconicEquipment wooden dagger, blowgun, 20 darts

TACTICSThe silt runners’ tactics are simple: Gang up on oneor two enemies at a time. Ifpossible, two ragers andone darter target one character, while one rager andone darter target a second character. The ragers takeadvantage of their speed to move or charge quicklyinto melee, while the darters hang back and supporttheir melee allies with blowgun attacks. Darters usepoison dart as early as possible in the fight. Ragers usebrutal spear early, wait until they are bloodied to usepenetrating spear, then use brutal spear again ifpossible.

After three of the silt runners have fallen, theremaining two flee into the desert, never to be heardfrom again.

DEVELOPMENTAfter the heroes defeat or drive off the silt runners,they can follow the intermittent wagon tracks towardthe north. This journey leads them to Encounter S-2:Plundered Wagon.

ABOUT SILT RUNNERSSilt runners are small, fast, reptilian humanoids thatgather in large packs in the desert. They are savage, bloodthirsty, and somewhat dull-witted creatures, greedy forfood and shiny baubles. They are detailed further in theDARK SUN Creature Catalog, but the statistics blocks hereare all you need to run these encounters.

FEATURES OF THE AREAThis encounter uses tiles from set DU7 Desert ofAthas”.

Illumination: Daylight sheds bright light over the cjentire area. Z

Creosote Bush: These squares are difficult ter- l~rain. Creatures in bush squares have cover.

Escarpment: These rocky outcroppings are about z6 feet high. A creature can vault up the steep slopewith a DC 10 Athletics check, using 1 extra square ~of movement to do so. A failed check ends the creature’s move action at the base of the escarpment. ~Hopping down the slope requires no check andcauses no damage. D

Sand Drift: These squares are difficult terrain. CWagon Ruts: The tracks have no effect on move

ment or combat.

2 Silt Runner Darters (D) Level 1 ArtillerySmall natural humanoid (reptile) XP 100 each


Low-light visionI

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4

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217

ENCOUNTER S-2: PLUNDERED WAGON

Encounter Level 1 (518 XP)

SETUP1 kruthik adult (A)2 kruthik young (Y)3 kruthik hatchlings (H)

The missing wagon rests in the lee of a small hill,where its drivers sought cover to ride out yesterday’sstorm. Their draft animals—a pair ofmixes—brokefree of their tethers and ran off during the storm,leaving the wagon stranded. Before the three HouseWavir drivers could locate their draft beasts, thesilt runners of the Broken Tower found them andattacked. The reptilians dragged the drivers off totheir lair and partially plundered the wagon. Currently, a pack ofdesert kruthiks drawn by the scent offood is nosing around the prize.

When the adventurers reach the encounter area,have the players place their miniatures near theX on the map and read:You spot the Wavirs’ missing wagon ahead. It stands in ajumble ofrocks, halfburied by drifting sand. You see nosign ofthe draft animals or the drivers. A portion of thecargo jugs ofwine and planks ofhardwood lies brokenand scattered on the nearby sand. A half dozen creatureswith chitinous shells and spikelike claws are scuttlingaround and chittering to each other as they pick over thewreckage.

Place the kruthiks on the tactical map. If the characters want to surprise the kruthiks, have them make agroup Stealth check (DC 14). Ifhalf the party members succeed on this check, the characters can attackthe kruthiks with surprise. Otherwise, roll initiative.

FEATURES OF THE AREAThis encounter uses tiles from set DU7 Desert ofAthas.

Illumination: Daylight sheds bright light over theentire area.

Escarpment: These rocky outcroppings are abou6 feet high. A creature can vault up the steep slopewith a DC 10 Athletics check, using an extra squareof movement to do so. A failed check ends the creature’s move action at the base of the escarpment.Hopping down the slope costs no extra movementand causes no damage.

Sand Drift: These squares are difficult terrain.Wagon: Creatures in the wagon have cover

against enemies attacking from outside the wagon.Climbing into the wagon from the outside requires 1extra square ofmovement. Most of the wagon’s cargohas been removed, leaving only a few sacks ofgrain,some blankets, and two clay jars full of olive oil insidethe vehicle.

Wagon Ruts: The tracks have no effect on movement or combat.

0A A

®A A

A A

A A

218

HP 67; Bloodied 33AC 17, Fortitude 14, Reflex 15, Will 13Speed 6, burrow 3 (tunneling), climb 6

ITS

Gnashing Horde + Aura 1Any enemy that ends its turn within the aura takes 2 damage.

STANDARD ACTIONS

0 Claw + At-WillAttack: Melee 1 (one creature); +8 vs. ACHit: ldW + 3 damage.

~ Toxic Spikes (poison) + Recharge 1~ ~1Attack: Ranged 5 (two creatures); +7 vs. ACHit: 1d8 + 4 damage, and the target is slowed and takes ongoing

5 poison damage (save ends both).Str 17 (+5) Dex 18 (+6) Wis 12 (+3)Conl7(+5) lnt4(-1) Cha8(+1)Alignment unaligned Languages —

HP 43; Bloodied 21AC 15, Fortitude 1L3, Reflex 14, Will 11Speed 6, burrow 2 (tunneling), climb 8

TRAITS

O Gnashing Horde 4 Aura 1Any enemy that ends its turn within the aura takes 2 damage.

STANDARD ACTIONS

0 Claw 4 At-WillAttack: Melee 1 (one creature); +5 vs. ACHit: 1d8 + 2 damage.

StrlS(+3) Dexl6(+4) WislO(+1)Con 13 (+2) Int 4 (-2) Cha 6 (-1)Alignment unaligned Languages

TRAITS

O Gnashing Horde 4 Aura 1Any enemy that ends its turn within the aura takes 2 damage.

STANDARD ACTIONS

+ Claw 4 At-WillAttack: Melee 1 (one creature); +5 vs. ACHit: 4 damage.

Strl3(+2) Dexl6(+4) WislO(+1)Con 13 (+2) mt 4 (-2) Cha 6 (-1)Alignment unaligned Languages —

TACTICSThe kruthik young and the kruthik hatchlings scuttle .~j

into melee as quickly as they can. They split up and <move adjacent to as many different characters as possible, so their gnashing horde auras damage multipletargets each.

The adult kruthik begins the battle by using toxicspikes, and then moves to bring enemies within itsaura. It uses toxic spikes again as soon as it recharges, Dotherwise relying on claw.

Kruthiks are notoriously fierce and hungry. Theydo not break off combat while an enemy remainsstanding.

DEVELOPMENTAfter the characters defeat the kruthiks, an inspection of the wagon reveals that much of its cargo hasbeen removed, along with the three House Wavirdrivers. The hitch where the wagon’s draft beastswould have been harnessed has been ripped away,leaving splintered wood. The draft beasts appear tohave bolted; it is not uncommon for panicked mixesto run offwith their traces.

Drag marks and tracks in the sand (mostly those ofwide, webbed feet) lead farther north. About a mile inthe distance, the characters can see the broken stumpof an old, ruined tower. Following the tracks leadsthem to Encounter S-3: Broken Tower.

Kruthik Adult (A) Level 4 BruteMedium natural beast (reptile) XP 175


Low-light vision,tremorsense 10

2 Kruthik Young (Y) Level 2 BruteSmall natural beast (reptile) XP 125 each



1.1.1IzD0c-Iz1.1.1

3 Kruthik Hatchlings (H) Level 2 MinionSmall natural beast (reptile) XP 31 each

HP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion.AC 16, Fortitude 12, Reflex iS, Will 1’2Speed 6, burrow 2 (tunneling), climb 8



219

— ~ ~

ENCOUNTER S-3: BROKEN TOWER

When the characters open the door, read:This lar8e vault holds several ancient stone sarcophagiand a low cisternfull ofwater. The ceiling is partially collapsed, and several large piles ofrubble haveformed. Theroom isfilled with a musty reptilian odor. Foul debris consisting ofgnawed bones, broken crates, and tattered hidesis scattered about the area. The missing caravan driversare tied up in an alcove against thefar wall. Arrayedthroughout the room are three more of the silt runners anda taller reptilian savage—a ssurran. They hiss in challengewhen they see you.

TACTICSThe silt runner ragers rush forward into melee, opening the fight with brutal spear. The inciter begins withpsionic detonation to bottle up the characters nearthe doorway, then uses incitefury to give the ragersanother attack. The ssurran uses dagger to deal ongoing poison damage to an enemy. If successful, it usesblinding poison and, if the target is blinded, end strikeagainst the same target.

The silt runners and the ssurran don’t bother withthe bound prisoners. They don’t feel sufficient loyaltyto their own kind to imagine that the heroes mightcare about threats to the prisoners.

If two of the silt runners fall, the ssurran attemptsto flee. It has no wish to fight to the death for the siltrunners’ sake.

Silt Runner Inciter (I)Small natural humanoid (reptile)

HP 38;Bloodied 19AC 16, Fortitude 14, Reflex 14, Will 15Speed 7IRA ITS

Silt Runner SwarmAny enemy that starts its turn adjacent to two or more silt runers.takes 2 damage.

STANDARD ACTIONS

(4~ Ii1~iii~ Sword (~~pon + At-WillAttack: Melee 1 (one creature); +7 vs. ACHit: idlO + 5 damage.

4~ Psionic Detonation force zone + Recharge flflAttack: Area burst 1 within 10 (enemies in burst); +6 vs. ReflexHit: ldlO + 5 force damage. The burst creates a zone that lastsuntil the end of the enèounter. Enemies treat squares withinthe zone as difficult terrain:

Miss: Half damage. -

< Incite Fury + Recharge c!2ih~nfirst bloodiedEffect: As a free action, each silt runner within a close blast

5 shifts 1 square and makes a basic attack before or after itshifts.

TRIGGERED ACTIONS

‘~ Incite Frenzy + EncounterTri8ger: The inciter is first bloodied.Effect (Free Action): As a free action, each ally within a closeburst 5 shifts 1 square and makes a basic attack before or afterit shifts.

Skills Athletics +6, Intimidate +9, Stealth +8Str 11 ~+1~ Dex 14~+3) WIs 15 (1-3)Con 14 +3 lntli3~+O ~16~+4Alignment unaligned Languages DraconicEquipment bone sword

4 Silt Runner Ragers (R)Small natural humanoid (reptile)

HP 34; Bloodied 17AC 13, Fortitude 13, Reflex 13, Will 13Speed7 .

TRAITS

Silt Runner ~2EDUIiAny enemy that starts its turn adjacent to two or more silt runners takes 2 damage.

STANDARD ACTIONS

~D Bone Spear (weap~) + At-WillAttack: Melee 2 (one creature); +4 vs. ACHit: 2d6 + 3 damage.

4’ Brutal Spear (weap.~) + Recharge when first bloodiedAttack: Melee 2 (one creature); +4 vs. ACHit: 3d6 + 6 damage.

4. Penetrating Spear (weapon) + EncounterRequirement: The rager must be bloodied.Attack: Melee 2 (one creature); +4 vs. ACHit: 2d6 + 3 damage, and the target gains vulnerable 5 to all

damage until the end of the rager’s next turn.Skills Athletics +5, Stealth +7Str 11 (+0) Dex 15 (+2) Wls 14 (+2)Conl4(+2) lnt6(-2) ~IEJ10(+0)Alignment unaligned Languages DraconicEquipment bone spear

Level 2 Controller (Leader)XP 125

InitiativePerception +3

L.ow-light vision

.~Encot~ter~Ieve1 2 (675 XP)

~SETUP.~ “.1 silt.runner inciter (S)

~ ~ 4’~si~1trunñer ragers (R)C ~ ~, ~ ~surran-poisonscale collector (P)

The characters have arrived at the lair of the silt- !~,,. ‘C ., - runner band that sacked the wagon. The raiders live

in catacombs beneath the ruins of a small temple-~ . abandoned centuries ago.

- When the heroes reach the encounter area, read:The drag marks and tracksfrom the wagon lead to the

~ ~. weathered ruin ofan ancient structure. Nothing remainsaboveground except the stump ofa small tower and

- ~,. - ‘~ tumbled stones where its protective walls once stood. Dr~ft

- . - in~j sand and tough scrub brush surround the walls. In the

~. foundation of the tower, you discover aflight ofold stone• ~ stairs leading down to a wide set ofdoors.

Have the players set up their miniatures on the stairway or in the hall outside the double doors. Do not setup the monsters until the characters open the door.

Level 1 BruteXP 100 each

Initiative +2• Perception +2Low-light vision

220

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Ssurran Poisonscale Collector (S) Level 3 LurkerMedium natural humanoid (reptile) XP 150

FEATURES OF THE AREAIllumination: The stairway and the area in front

of the double door are bathed in daylight. Torchesilluminate the silt runners’ lair, casting bright lightthroughout the area.

Ceiling: The chamber is 10 feet high.Cistern: The cistern is 2 feet deep. Its squares are

difficult terrain.Drivers: The drivers (in the squares marked D)

are firmly bound with rawhide thongs and can’tmove. They’re level 1 minions with 10 in all abilitiesand defenses.

Rubble: Squares of rubble are difficult terrain.Sarcophagi: These large stone sepulchers are 5

feet tall. They provide cover. A creature can scrambleup a sarcophagus with a DC 8 Athletics check, using1 extra square ofmovement to do so. Hopping downcosts no extra movement and causes no damage.

Wagon Loot: The casks, crates, and sacks of theWavir wagon’s cargo are piled haphazardly, creatingsquares ofdifficult terrain.

/4..

L44

4 4

HP 36; Bloodied 18 Initiative +8AC 18, Fortitude 14, Reflex 16, Will 15 Perception +8Speed 6 (earth walk)TRAIT

Poison StrikeThe ssurran gains a 2 bonus to damage rolls against enemiestaking ong~jpgipoison damage.

STANDARD ACTIONS

© Dagg~(p~j~, weap~) + At-WillAttack: Melee 1 (one creature); +8 vs. ACHit: 1.d~ + 2 damage,and ongoing 5 poison 4~rnage (save ends).

+ Blinding Poison + At-WillAttack: Melee 1 (one creature taking.ongoing poison damage);

6 vs. FortitudeI-lit: 1d6 + 3 damage, and the target is blinded (save ends).

+ End Strike + At-WillAttack: Melee 1 (one creature thatcannot see the ssurran); +8

vs.ACHit: 2d6 + 3 damage.

Skills: Athletics +7, Stealth +9Str 13 (+2) Dex 17 (+4) Wis 14 (+3)Con 12 (+2) IntlO(+1) Cha (+0)Alignment unaligned Languages DraconicEquipment dagger

DEVELOPMENTAfter the adventurers defeat the monsters in theBroken Tower, they can free the Wavir drivers (a half-elfnamed Milos and two humans named Alia andFlaron). The silt runner inciter wears a small leatherpouch containing a fire opal worth 100 gp, 20 gp inancient gold coins found here in the catacombs, anda 1 amulet ofhealth (level 3 item, Player’s Handbook,page 249). This treasure amounts to the level 1 parcels 3 and 7 (Dungeon Master’s Guide, page 126).

Getting the trade goods back to Altaruk is a hotand dusty chore. With the aid of the Wavir drivers,the heroes can push the wagon back or break it upto fashion a simple travois and drag the cargo back.Either way, the return trip is uneventful. Rhotan Vormakes good on his promise, and pays the heroes 120gp (level 1 parcel 8).

If the heroes choose to keep the Wavir tradegoods, the total value of the cargo is 480 gp (level 1parcels 5, 6, 9, and 10). Selling the goods in Altarukis impossible, however, since Rhotan Vor claims ownership of the cargo and the chief ofAltaruk backshim up. The characters can still trade the cargo forthe promised reward, but the Wavirs will remembertheir failure to keep the bargain.

SSURRANSOn Athas, lizardfolk don’t reside in marshes and swampsThey’re known as ssurrans, a race of nomadic reptilianmarauders adapted to the desert. Like locusts, ssurranhordes descend on an area and strip it of everythingedible before moving on. The ssurran in this encounter isa wide-ranging scout for a nearby pack.

221

Abalach-Re 168,169,170,171adventuring gear 123Altaruk 183,184,216alternative rewards 21 0Andropinis 65,144,145,147animist shaman 90arena encounters 200arena fighting feats 103arcane defiling 60,64,68,80,98,99,

105,122,113,115,125,126arcane defiling feats 104, 114, 115arcane magic 16,80, 197arena fighter 86Arkhold 182armor 119,125arms trouhador (paragon path) 40Asticles (house) 135Astral Sea 17, 116Athasian minstrel (theme) 8,38Avangion (epic destiny) 98Avegdaar 180Balic 54,62,65,144-147,152, 172,

181,183Beastbarrens 163Birk Suntouched 185bit (coin) 14Bitter Well 174Black Guard, the 151Black Sands 185Blue Shrine, the 182Bodach 16,163Bone Village 159boulder fields 132,198,203Broken Butte 163Broken Lands 176calendar 15caravan master (paragon path) 44Celik 16,183Chaksa, the 193character backgrounds 24character creation 8character themes 8,34,36City of the Fire King 176Cleansing Wars 154, 163, 183, 208coinage 14consumables 129cosmology 1 7Crescent Circle 58,161Crescent Forest 58,116,158,161Crimson Savanna 192,193Cromlin 162Crystal Forest 155Darian Haraxes 146Dasaraches 193Dead Land, the 183defiling and preserving 80Dhojakt 167Dhuurghaz 180divine characters 9divine magic 16double weapons 122Dragon Horns, the 185Dragon King (epic destiny) 99Dragon’s Bowl 175, 176Dragon’s Crown Mountains 193Dragon’s Palate 152dragonborn 14,24,162Draj 29, 54,62,148-151,174,176dray 24, 162Dregoth 24,162Dry Marsh, the 176dune strider (paragon path) 72dune trader (theme) 9,42Dust Kraken, the 179dust sinks 132,178,198,203dwarves 25, 187Echoing Mine 162ecology 196Echoless Caverns 1 73eladrin 17,26Elemental Chaos 15, 17, 116, 180

elemental priest (theme) 9, 46elves 26Empty Plains, the 192Endless Sand Dunes 152, 182Enola 58,175,176epic tier feats 115equipment 118Estuary of the Forked Tongue

152-1 53, 184familiar feats 103Feywild 1S,17, 26,116,153,161fixed enhancement bonus 209Forbidden City, the 193Forest Ridge, the 17,28, 58, 116,154-155,172,188

Fountain of Leaves 143free citizens 1 3Freedom 185Gauntlets, the 1 76Gavan Sul 138,140genasi 30giant holds 152Giustenal 24,162gladiator (theme) 9, 50gladiator champion (paragon path) 52goliaths 27, 31,173Grak’s Pool 185,186Gray, the 17, 116, 186Gray Death 1 79Great Alluvial Sand Wastes 186Great Salt Flat 1 83Green Age 16, 208guardian of the land (paragon path) 60Gu1g29, 54,156-159,161Guthay 17,149half elves 28half giant thug 31half giants 27, 31,173halflings 28,154,193Hamanu49, 54,155,177,184,188,189,190,191

Haneth Tsalaxa 139hermits 14heroic themes 8heroic tier feats 103Herumar, the Sand Scourge 182Hordemaster (epic destiny) 100humans 29lanto (house) 138, 139lnika(house)1S3, 156,159Iron Rats 138,140Ivory Triangle 160-163Jagged Cliffs 193Jarko (house) 147jazst dancer (paragon path) 53Jossi the juggler 137Kalak 29,130,134,136,141,142,143,184,188

kalashtar 30Kalidnay 186Ken-kentu Vek 1 59Ket 176KIed 187Kol-Tukulg 155Korsk 163Kra-Hnur 173Kreen Khanates 192Lake of Golden Dreams 176,177,189Lake Island 179Lake Pit 175, 176LalaIi-Puy 156,1 57,158,159,161Lands Within the Wind 15, 17, 26,

116,153,161languages 14Ledopolus 153literacy 14Lost Oasis 187Lostspears 161Lubar (house) 191Madar (house) 186Maetan Lubar 191

Mafoun 186magic items 125magic items, suitable 125Makla 177Mareneth (house) 183master defiler (paragon path) 64master preserver (paragon path) 68masterwork armor parallels 11 8Mausoleum of Shiivarm 173Maxlixoco 149Mekillot Mountains 132,162merchants 1 2metal, lack of 118metal armor and overheating 119mind general (paragon path) 56Mind Lord of the Order

(epic destiny) 101Mines of Tyr 186minotaurs 30, 163M’ke(house)139, 146,170,171Morghaz 180Mount Narran 173mountains 132, 198, 203Mountains of the Sun 180Mountains of the Teeth 153mounts 123Mud Palace, the 183mudflats 132,198,203mul 20,32mul battle slave 32Narrows, the 174, 175Nibenay (city-state) 54,62, 161,

164-1 67Nibenay (sorcerer-king) 161, 164, 167night travel 199noble adept (theme) 9, 54nobles 12nomads 1 3Ogo 155,188other races 30overland movement 198paragon tier feats 11 3Plain of Singing Skulls 176Polan Felk 166praetor legate (paragon path) 65primal guardian (theme) 9,58primal magic 16,158Pristine Tower 163psionic scholar (paragon path) 57psionic schools 54psionics 16,197Pyreen (epic destiny) 102Raam 54,168-171,176racial paragon paths 31rainbringer (paragon path) 48Ral 17,149Red Age 16,208Rees (house) 147,184resurgent wilder (paragon path) 76Ringing Mountains 132,155,

172 -1 73rituals 116Road of Fire 180Road of Kings 174 177rocky badlands 133,198,203Roqom 180Ruincreepers 140saltfiats 133,161,183,198,203salt marshes 133, 198, 203Salt View 162, 163Samarthia 17Ssand reaver (paragon path) 73sandy wastes 133,198,203Scarlet Helms 140Screaming Ravine 187scrolls 116scrub plains 133,198,203SeaofSilt3o,124,132,178 181,

182secret history of Athas 208Shadowfell 17,116,186

shady dealer (paragon path) 45Shault 58,180Shorn (house) 139,162,166,167Silan the Serpent 190Silt Archipelago 181silt runners 217Silver Spring Oasis 186, 187Siren’s Song 153skill challenges 204slavery 13,197Slither 186Smoking Crown, the 46,49, 176,

177,191Smoking Crown initiate(paragon path) 49sorcerer-kings 1 2Southern Wastes 182-183ssurrans 221Stel (house) 139,146,177,191stony barrens 133, 198,203sun sickness 72, 133, 199survivall97, 198survival day 72,123,179,198,211Tablelands,the 133,173,184-187Tectuktitlay6l, 148,149,150,151templar (theme) 9,62templars 12Temple of the Eye 161Temple of the Sky Serpent 155Thamasku 193Thri-Kreen (language) 15thri-kreen 22, 33,120,122,192,193thri-kreen predator 33tieflings 30Tithian 134,135,136,138,141,143Tomblador (house) 147,153,173, 184Toothcutters 135,1 37, 140transportation 123Tsalasa (house) 139,148,149,

150,186Tyr29, 54,130,134 143,183,184

18STyr Region 10, 130, 208UnderTyr 136, 137,140,142unwelcome guest (paragon path) 41Urik49, 54,138,139,146,155, 177,

184,188-191Ushuch-Si 171Vanishing Lake 181Vault of House Madar 186vehicles 1 24Veiled Alliance (organization) 9, 11,

25, 66, 69, 135,137,141,144,146,147,166,170,184,185,190,204,21S

Veiled Alliance (theme) 9,66veiled guardian (paragon path) 69Verdant Isle, the 181villagers 13voice for the ravaged

(paragon path) 61Vordon (house) 135,138,146,185Walis 172Wavir (house) 135,139,147,153,

184warlock sorcerer king pact 94wasteland nomad (theme) 9, 70Waverly 16,153weapon breakage 122weapons 120,125Western Hinterlands 23, 192-193wielder of the Way (paragon path) 77wild battlemind 82wild talents 81wilder theme) 9, 75wilderness encounters 202Witchgrove 161Xalos the stonecutter 135, 137,

138,188Yaramuke 177Zeburon 185

iNDEX

222

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Dungeons & Dragons #0 • Available ADungeons & Dragons #1 • November 2~

Dark Sun #1 .January 2~I4.

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Dark Sun Campaign Setting.pdf

Documents

Transcript of Dark Sun Campaign Setting.pdf