Pre-generated Characters for Athas Con

 I had to draw up six PCs for my upcoming game at Athascon. I thought they would be a great addition to my blog and may be of use to other AD&D 2nd edition Dark Sun players and Dungeon Masters.

Halfling Psionicist (Psychokinetic)

Human Preserver

Mul Gladiator

Thri-Kreen Fighter

Elf Thief

Dwarf Cleric (Fire)

The character sheets are are form fillable, so the information can be changed. As is, they are all 3rd level. I hope you enjoy them and find them useful for your games.

Secrets of the Dead Lands Review, Chapter 10

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. Although, most of the information is system neutral and can be used for any rule system. The original draft was written by Timothy Brown, co-creator of the Dark Sun setting. 

I did not compare the Athas.org version with the original manuscript. I gave my opinions on the completed Secrets of the Dead Lands. I broke down the review into separate parts, by reviewing it chapter by chapter. I did not criticize the artwork or maps, as this is a free book, that was put together by fans. Although the artwork and maps have been surprisingly good.
The review of Chapter 1. 
The review of Chapter 2.
The review of Chapter 3.
The review of Chapter 4.
The review of Chapter 5.
The review of Chapter 6.
The review of Chapter 7.
The review of Chapter 8.
The review of Chapter 9.

Chapter 10 - The Dead Lands and the Tablelands
This chapter starts off with a question that I have had the entire time reading this book. Why don't the undead of the Dead Lands invade the Tablelands? Instead of a single, unvarying answer, we are given a list of reasons.
The first reasons make a lot of sense. They basic idea is that the undead are unsure if they will continue to survive upon leaving the Dead Lands. This could be tested and I am sure it has been, but likely with unintelligent undead. If the intelligent undead leave the obsidian plain, will they become mindless? How long will they really last? Even a century is not long to such deathless creatures.

Session Eighty-Two: Uncertainty

Alaxadner explained to Lilith, that he did not believe the Lord of the Many could be destroyed. In addition, they needed it to destroy the Tyrant of Tyr. Lilith calmed down, but did not want the Lord of the Many near her.
Jessel informed the group that he was being summoned by the lords of earth and had to leave. The group said their goodbyes and Jessel stepped through a dimensional door. Nyla asked if his sudden disappearance was normal and the group said it was.
Raco and Shade decided to scout ahead of the group and look for a proper volcano entrance. They jogged ahead, while the rest of the group walked casually in the same direction. Whenever Shade and Raco thought they saw something, Raco would become a living shadow and Shade would hide.
Despite several scares, they did not encounter anyone for a few hours. They finally spotted a cave, carved into the side of the volcano. There were four firenewts guarding the entrance.
Raco turned and started making his way back to the group, but Shade decided to take a closer look. Shade moved closer, but stepped on a patch of loose gravel and slipped. The noise alerted the firenewt guards, who turned toward him. The firenewts threw javelins at Shade, who dodged them. Shade ran away, as more firenewts spilled from the volcano entrance.
The firenewts did not chase Shade very far and he escaped. When he and Raco met up with the rest of the group, no one had any idea what they should do next. They made multiple plans, but would discard them after a few minutes. In the end, they decided they needed more information. They finally agreed to have Alaxander use the way, to teleport, and scout the island.

Along the Shore of the Silt Sea - A Dark Sun Fable

Two travelers were walking along the shore of the Silt Sea. They looked out, across the loose silt and they saw something moving above it.
"Look," said one traveler, "a skimmer is rolling in from distant lands. It's bound to be filled with riches!"
The object they saw came closer to the shore.
"No," said the other, "that is not a skimmer filled with treasure. That is a skimmer filled with food and water!"
As they watched, it came even closer.
"Maybe it's a skimmer filled with beautiful concubines for us to buy!" they cried.
The two travelers rushed to the edge of the sea and a silt horror grabbed them. The two travelers were never seen again.

Secrets of the Dead Lands Review, Chapter 9

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. Although, most of the information is system neutral and can be used for any rule system. 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 that 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. Although the artwork and maps have been surprisingly good.
The review of Chapter 1. 
The review of Chapter 2.
The review of Chapter 3.
The review of Chapter 4.
The review of Chapter 5.
The review of Chapter 6.
The review of Chapter 7.
The review of Chapter 8.

Chapter 9 - The Seventh Tree
We are treated to a history about how and why the tree was created. It was basically a battery, created by the Warbringer. It is the reason the gate stopped pushing obsidian into the prime material plane. I do like that the obsidian portal is still open, just blocked by the roots of the seventh tree. What intelligence inhabits the tree? I want to read more.

Session Eighty-One: Wyverns and Giants and Lizards, Oh My!

The group walked through the grasslands, which surrounded the volcano. They heard some noises and ducked below the grass line. Shade said he would scout ahead and everyone agreed. He returned a short time later and explained what he saw.
There was a group of gray skinned humanoids, who had Jessel, he alive and conscious, tied up and roasting over a fire. The gray skinned humanoids were taunting him and laughing with delight. They were armed with stone battleaxes.
The group was quick to make a decision. They would, of course, go rescue their half-giant friend. The group surprised the gray skinned humanoids and made quick work of them. Most of them were knocked unconscious by Raco, who displayed impressive combat abilities. Lilith fled from the combat, as she was scared of the large group.
They freed Jessel, who was thankful for the rescue. Jessel was introduced to Raco, Nyla, and Lilith. He was saddened by the news of the loss of Vashti and Julius. Jessel explained that he had found himself on the island, after being deposited here by the Lords of Earth and told that the group was nearby. He was captured by the gray skinned humanoids, while napping and waiting for the group.
The group walked toward the volcano and saw a wyvern flying around its peak. The wyvern dove down, toward the site of the combat, and began devouring the gray skinned humanoids. The group fled from the monster. After feasting, the wyvern departed, flying back toward the peak of the volcano.

AthasCon Vitual Dark Sun Game

I will be running a virtual four hour AD&D Second Edition Dark Sun game on October 29, 2022 at 10 AM Mountain Time, Noon Eastern Time, 9 AM Pacific Time.
This game will be limited to five players. You do not have to know 2e, but it would be nice to have someone experienced, to run a psionicist. Pre-generated characters will be provided.
It will be run using discord and the Owlbear Rodeo Virtual Tabletop. Everything is free.
More information is available on their discord and at: https://arena.athas.org/t/athascon-online-october-29th-30th/3208

If this time does not work, there will be other Dark Sun fanatics running games as well.

I hope to see you there!