Secrets of the Dead Lands Review, Chapter 2

Athas.org recently released Secrets of the Dead Lands. The book is a D&D 3.5 version of an unfinished manuscript, originally for AD&D 2nd edition. The original draft was written by Timothy Brown, co-creator of the Dark Sun setting. 

I will not be comparing the Athas.org version with the original manuscript. I will give my opinions on the completed Secrets of the Dead Lands. I have decided I will break down the review into separate parts, by reviewing it chapter by chapter. I will not criticize the artwork or maps, as this is a free book, that was put together by fans. The review of Chapter 1 

Chapter 2 - Northwest Cliffs

A few pages before the second chapter, there is a large two-page map of the Dead Lands. The placement seems a little odd, as I believe this map would be a great break between chapter one and chapter two. It is an extremely useful map and is easy to read, it keeps the same iconography that Dark Sun fans have seen in other products.

The second chapter dives into specific locations in the Dead Lands. As a surprise to no one who read the chapter heading, this chapter is about the northwest cliffs and the surrounding area. It begins with explaining that the Dead Lands are in a basin and the path down is known as the Winding Way.
There is a surprising amount of information about the path into the basin below. It discusses the path way's history, as well as its current state of disrepair. Lastly, it outlines the various dangers of the pathway, including an undead earth drake.

Secrets of the Dead Lands Review, Chapter 1

Athas.org recently released Secrets of the Dead Lands. The book is a D&D 3.5 version of an unfinished manuscript, originally for AD&D 2nd edition. The original draft was written by Timothy Brown, co-creator of the Dark Sun setting.
I will not be comparing the Athas.org version with the original manuscript. I will give my opinions on the completed Secrets of the Dead Lands. I have decided I will break down the review into separate parts, by reviewing it chapter by chapter. I will not criticize the artwork or maps, as this is a free book, that was put together by fans.

First impressions.
The book is 169 pages and, although it's a small thing, I appreciate that it uses the original Dark Sun logo. Skimming through the book, it appears to be laid out well and, thankfully, contains a table of contents.
There are a plethora of maps, which are extremely useful, and enough artwork to breakup the sea of text. The pages have the borders I've come to expect from Dark Sun books and, all in all, looks very professional.

Kavoras - New Athasian Monster

Kavoras

Climate/Terrain: Anywhere, except forest and silt sea.
Frequency: Common
Organization: Solitary or Cast
Activity Cycle: Day
Diet: Omnivore
Intelligence: Non- (0)
Treasure: Nil
Alignment: Neutral
No. Appearing: 3-300
Armor Class: 7
Movement: 4
Hit Dice: 1/2
Thac0: 20
No. of Attacks: 1
Damage/Attacks: 1
Special Attack: None
Special Defense: None
Magic Resistance: Nil
Size: T (8" Long)
Morale: Unreliable (2-4)
XP Value: 7

Kavoras, Giant

Climate/Terrain: Rocky Badlands & Stony Barrens
Frequency: Very Rare
Organization: Solitary or Pair
Activity Cycle: Day
Diet: Omnivore
Intelligence: Non- (0)
Treasure: Nil
Alignment: Neutral
No. Appearing: 1-2
Armor Class: 0
Movement: 14 Cl 8
Hit Dice: 8+4
Thac0: 13
No. of Attacks: 2
Damage/Attacks: 3-14/3-14
Special Attack: Grapple
Special Defense: None
Magic Resistance: 25%
Size: L (12' Long, 12' Tall)
Morale: Champion (15-16)
XP Value: 3,000

Session Seventy-Four: Lost

Note: For those unfamiliar with Dark Sun, psionics are called the Will for wild talents and the Way for trained psionicists.

The group wandered through the canyon maze, with Shade confidently leading the way. Julius was the only one who doubted Shade's ability to successfully guide them through the rocky badlands. They saw many small lizards and birds, but nothing dangerous.
Night fell and the group set up watch.

Day 15, Week 1, Macro, Friend's Vengeance, 190th King's Age, Sun Descending

While Alaxadner was keeping watch, he suddenly found himself on the mindscape. In front of him was a huge tan lizard. It stomped and attempted to crush him, but he hid himself in a bank of fog. He called out, in the real world, and woke everyone up.
The lizard kept attacking Alaxander on the mindscape, but Alaxander kept defending against its mental attacks. The group awoke and Alaxander explained what was going on. They searched the area for the lizard and eventually found it.

D100 Non-Combat Roadside Encounters for the Tablelands

I've seen many non-combat roadside encounter tables, but few of them work well for Dark Sun's unique setting. So, I've decided to make one myself.
In lieu of a combat encounter, DMs may use these instead. If an encounter does not make sense, roll again. A lot of these are just ideas, that should be fleshed out by the DM. Enjoy.

Roll 1 D100:

001: Dark clouds are overhead. It looks like it might actually rain. There is a 50/50 chance of it raining. If it does rain, however, it's torrential and easily causes flash flooding.

002: A small group of bandits are hiding near the road and waiting to spring out and attack. There are two bandits per PC, but they are one to two levels lower. Most of them are not very good at hiding and should be spotted by alert PCs.

003: The PCs find a flat stone near the road, with a crude skull painted on it. If the PCs look around, or travel further up the road, they find two more. These could be a warning, painted by an illiterate traveler, of danger up ahead.

004: A large armored wagon is slowly moving past the PCs, pulled by two mekillots. It will not stop for the PCs, without a very good incentive. There are 2d4 crodlu outriders. The crodlu outriders will yell at the PCs to clear the road.

005: A small group, 1d6, of recently escaped slaves come upon the PCs. They threaten the group with harm, if they outnumber the PCs, despite having no weapons or armor. Or they beg for food, water, and any other survival tools.

Happy Easter to Everyone, Everywhere.

 

I truly believe that the most important message you will hear this Easter, is that He lives and He loves you!

Adventure Idea 6

 For DM eyes only.