Twelfth Session: Swift as Wind, Formed as Wood.

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

Red Bipedal Lizard

The red bipedal lizards attacked Julius and Shade with their claws. Julius backed off and allowed Alaxander to take his place. They were able to wound the front lizard badly, when Jessel came down the hallway behind them. Alaxander was injured, so he had Jessel change places with him. Alaxander and Julius then began using the way against the lizards, while everyone else just used weapons.
The lizards showed animal level intelligence in their fighting techniques. The final lizard breathed a gout of flame at Shade, The fire singed Shade a bit, but he was able to dodge most of the attack.
They finished off the last of the lizards, then harvested their teeth to use as arrowheads. Alaxander wanted to skin them, but decided they had more pressing matters to attend to. The group welcomed Jessel back, then chose to investigate the lava pool, but found nothing else. Back at the hallway intersection, they chose the east corridor.

Merry Christmas

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Greater Paraelemental of Magma

Second edition AD&D failed to make paraelementals for Dark Sun, so I will be creating some. I started with the lesser paraelementals and now it is time to introduce the greater paraelementals. Feedback is welcome.

"Burn everything! Magma for life!"

Stats after the jump.

Greater Paraelemental of Silt

Second edition AD&D failed to make paraelementals for Dark Sun, so I will be creating some. I started with the lesser paraelementals and now it is time to introduce the greater paraelementals. Feedback is welcome.

Feel the power of the Silt!

Stats after the jump.

Zombie Mekillot

Undead are not uncommon on Athas. So much so, that Sorcerer-Monarchs like to use undead beasts as weapons of war. One obvious choice of undead beasts is the zombie mekillot.
To be honest, I just want my players to climb onto an zombie mekillot's back while fighting hordes of undead. I could imagine that on heavy metal music video. Brutal right?

Geez, everyone is a critic.

Stats after the jump.

Eleventh Session: Mercy for the Merciless

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

Jessel came through the doorway and nodded to the group. They acknowledged him, but turned back to the captives. Alaxander told the captives, in Balican, that they were not there to hurt them. He then introduced the group.

Malison, Half-Elf Domestic Servant. By: Nick Robles

One of the male humans, short brown haired and bearded, spoke up and introduced the captives. He was Dalgar, the other human, short black haired, beardless, and sporting many scars, was Jamil, and the half-elf female, long auburn haired with a scar above her left eye, was Malison. He explained that the bandits had attacked his caravan a few weeks ago, killed most of his guards and stole all of his goods. Jamil was one of his guards and Malison was his domestic slave. He thanked them and espoused that he wished he could pay them for his freedom.
Alaxander was translating for the members of the group who did not speak Balican. Jessel spoke up, speaking through Alaxander, and asked Dalgar for his slave as payment. Dalgar agreed and told Malison that she now belonged to Alaxander.

Paraelemental of Rain

Second edition AD&D failed to make paraelementals for Dark Sun, so I will be creating some. I've decided to start with the lesser paraelementals and eventually get to the greater paraelementals.
I've posted all of the lesser paraelementals, so now I'm moving on to the full paraelementals. Feedback is welcome.

Rain Elemental by HoiHoiSan

 Stats after the jump.

Earth Serpent

It was pointed out to me by Rovewin of Athas.org, that earth serpents are listed in the encounter tables in "Terrors Beyond Tyr." However, they are not presented in any of the books. So, in an effort to rectify the situation, I have created n Earth Serpent below.
Based upon where the creature is placed in the encounter tables, I have made this monster very powerful.

"You can sleep, safe and sound. Knowing I am around." - A famous serpent.

Stats after the jump.

Paraelemental of Sun

Second edition AD&D failed to make paraelementals for Dark Sun, so I will be creating some. I've decided to start with the lesser paraelementals and eventually get to the greater paraelementals.
I've posted all of the lesser paraelementals, so now I'm moving on to the full paraelementals. Feedback is welcome.

Goodness, Gracious...

Stats after the jump.

Fire Scorpion

It was pointed out to me by Rovewin of Athas.org, that fire scorpions are listed in the encounter tables in "Terrors Beyond Tyr." However, they are not presented in any of the books. So, in an effort to rectify the situation, I have created a fire scorpion below.
Based upon where the creature is placed in the encounter tables, I have made this monster dangerous, but not overly powerful. 

"Get over here!" - Scorpion

Stats after the jump.

Tenth Session: The Freak and the Dead

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

Julius was feeling weak and wanted to rest in one of the secure rooms. Vashti used the Way the heal him. Julius' bones itched as the Way forced his marrow to produce more red blood cells, replenishing his veins after the ticks attack. Afterward, the group agreed to continue exploring the keep.
Alaxander found a staircase choked with rubble and casually moved some stones, but found only rocks and rubble. The next room was filled with broken pieces of wood and other garbage. A large open area contained a huge snake, which was coiled up. It looked at the group and tasted the air. Grak and Alaxander saw an old obsidian battleaxe on a rotted wooden weapons rack. Grak raised his weapon, but Alaxander told Grak to wait.

"Free axe? It must be mine!" - Alaxander

Alaxander slowly approached the snake, whispered comforting words and swayed slowly from side to side. The snake began moving with him and they stared at each other's eyes. Vashti slowly moved behind Alaxander and looked at a junk pile in the room; seeing nothing of value, she retreated. Alaxander kept eye contact with the snake and slowly swayed around the snake toward the weapon's rack. He took the axe and retreated back to the group. Satisfied, the group departed.

The Thief and His Mother. A Dark Sun Fable.

A young man had been caught in a daring act of theft and had been condemned by the Templars to be executed for it. He expressed his desire to see his Mother, and to speak with her before he was led to execution, and this was reluctantly granted. When his Mother came to him he said: "I want to whisper to you," and when she brought her ear near him, he nearly bit it off. All the bystanders were horrified, and asked him why he would do such a brutal and inhuman thing. "It is to punish her." he said. "When I was young I began with stealing little things, and brought them home to Mother. Instead of rebuking and punishing me, she laughed and said: 'It will not be noticed.' It is because of her that I am here today!"
"He is right, woman." said the Templar, then he ordered her execution as well.

Paraelemental of Magma

This is the only official paraelemental that TSR created. It comes from a Planescape Montrous Compendium. I will make minor tweaks to fit with the setting, but it is basically copied from official sources.

"I'm official!"

Stats after the jump.

Non-Spellcasting Templars

No one knows how many Templars a Sorcerer Monarch may imbue with spellcasting ability, but it is apparent to many that there are many non-spellcasting templars in the ranks of the Sorcerer Monarchs as well. These templars are usually not field agents, but sit behind tables and fill the ranks of bureaucrats required to keep a city-state running. Here, I will give statistics for non-spellcasting templars, parchment-pushing bureaucrats or others whom their liege has denied power, but bestowed temporal power.

The fall from grace is difficult. Atomhawk

Paraelemental of Silt

Second edition AD&D failed to make paraelementals for Dark Sun, so I will be creating some. I've decided to start with the lesser paraelementals and eventually get to the greater paraelementals.
I've posted all of the lesser paraelementals, so now I'm moving on to the full paraelementals. Feedback is welcome.

Dust and sand ripping flesh from your bones.

Stats after the jump.

Dark Sun Terrain: Sandy Wastes

Sahara Desert, Northern Africa

Vast expanses of yellow and orange sand. Dunes piled as high as large hills that change constantly, their size and shapes at the mercy of the hot winds that blows across the Tablelands. Most sand dunes are longer on the upwind side, or stoss, and have a shorter lee side, or slip face. Dunes may change location quickly, depending on the strength of the wind, which can bury travelers under tons of sand.
Strong, steady winds pile up sand into mekillot dunes, which resembles the roll on a  mekillots back. It is possible that these great dunes reach a height of seven hundred fifty feet high and several miles long. These dunes can be dangerous in a sand avalanche. If the wind is moderate and steady, the sand forms wave dunes. Wave dunes are much smaller than mekillot dunes, only reaching a maximum height of one hundred feet, and are evenly spaced.
Unidirectional wind that blows over the dunes low tips create crescent dunes. Crescent dunes are generally wider than they are long and tend to move quickly across the desert. Multi-directional winds create star dunes. Star dunes are pyramid shaped mounds with three or more ridged arms that stretch out from the central mound. These arms may stretch for many miles. Star dunes rarely change shape quickly or move very far.

Lesser Paraelemental of Rain

Second edition AD&D failed to make paraelementals for Dark Sun, so I will be creating some. I've decided to start with the lesser paraelementals and eventually get to the greater paraelementals.
I'm continuing with the lesser paraelemental of rain. Feedback is welcome.

Rain Elemental by HoiHoiSan

 Stats after the jump.

Ninth Session: Fighting for Their Lives

Cast is placed at the end of the session journal entry.

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

Desert bandits wear blue to blend with the sky, except on Athas, where the sky is green.

Grak charged into the room and attacked the elf who shot him. Inside the room, however, were eight human bandits, another elf, and a tied up and gagged half-giant on the floor. There was a hole in the outside wall that lead to the silt moat outside. The bandits swarmed Grak and flooded out of the room, to confront the rest of the group. Julius and Alaxander used the way to engage them, but soon switched, Julius to his obsidian scimitar and Alaxander to his bone club. Kalino was attacking with his bone longsword and Vashti with her bone club.

Dark Sun Terrain: Salt Flats

Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA

Huge expanses of salt encrusted ground as far as the eye and see. Salt Flats are nearly barren lands that become incredibly hot during the day. Here, more so than anywhere else on Athas, moisture is pulled from a traveler's mouth and skin. Any amount of water that pools quickly becomes salty and undrinkable. Yet, even here, life finds a way to survive.
Although it is not common, some salt grasses and hardy cacti break through the dry crust of the salt. Not nearly enough water to support a thriving ecosystem, salt flats are for the most part, devoid of life. Most creatures are only passing over the salt flats, looking to get off of them before the sun reaches its peak and the shining white salt raises to unbearable temperatures.

Lesser Paraelemental of Sun

Second edition AD&D failed to make paraelementals for Dark Sun, so I will be creating some. I've decided to start with the lesser paraelementals and eventually get to the greater paraelementals.
I'm continuing with the lesser paraelemental of sun. Feedback is welcome.

Goodness, Gracious...

Stats after the jump.

Dark Sun Terrain: Scrub Plains

Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA

Although rare in the Tablelands, scrub plains are highly coveted by herders and defilers. Clumps of grass, thorny bushes, and occasional trees fill the landscape. Although scrub plains are not lush by any accepted measure, they do contain some of the most abundant foliage on Athas. Scrub plains are extremely popular for herders to graze their flocks, sometimes to excess. They are also a popular spot for defilers to cast spells, as there are plenty of plants to fuel their magic. Unfortunately, if overgrazed or defiled, scrub plains will become sandy wastes or stony barrens.
Life is very common in the scrub plains, after all, where there are plants, there is water. Small and medium sized creatures feed on the plants, while larger predators hide among the grasses and bushes. Water can generally be found inside certain plants, or pooled a few feet below the surface. The plants provide shade for the creatures that call it home and wind that blows through the scrub plains is sometimes cooled by the plants that grow there.

Lesser Paraelemental of Magma

Second edition AD&D failed to make paraelementals for Dark Sun, so I will be creating some. I've decided to start with the lesser paraelementals and eventually get to the greater paraelementals.
I'm continuing with the lesser paraelemental of magma. Feedback is welcome.

Grrrr! Argh!

Stats after the jump

Dark Sun Terrain: Rocky Badlands

Windswept Rocky Badlands. Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA

Rocky badlands are usually found at the base of mountain ranges, sometimes stretching out for miles around. They are twisting canyons with walls of crumbling rocks. Many of these canyons are separated by thin ridges, but some have rounded or flat tops as well. Rocky Badlands are a popular location for many living things, due to the natural shade they provide.
Life is fairly common in the rocky badlands, due to a majority of the suns harsh rays being blocked by the canyon walls. Water pools up and doesn't evaporate as quickly as elsewhere. Wind often blows through the canyons, but rarely in the form of a cool breeze. Hot, oven-like wind blows through the canyon, making life miserable for those inhabitants who call the rocky badlands home. Thorny and serrated leaved bushes, as well as stunted trees, grow in the rocky badlands.

Eighth Session - Flame and Silt

Cast
Julius: Human male psychokinetic. 22 years old. Played by Dave. Speaks Balican, Tyrian, and Giant.
Alaxander: Human male psychokinetic. 17 years old. Played by Ben. Speaks Balican and Elf.
Kalino: Human male fighter/preserver. 20 years old. Played by DM. Speaks Rammin, Tyrian, and Balican.
Vashti: Human female clairsentient/water cleric. 20 years old. Played by my wife. Speaks Nibnese, Gith, and Balican.
Grak (aka Guacamole): Pterran male ranger. 19 years old. Played by Clyde. Speaks Pterran and Giant.
Demetrius: Human male. 25 years old. Shepherd. NPC. Speaks Nibnese.
Salvador: Human male. 41 years old. Mason. NPC. Speaks Nibnese.
Pasha Altan Hassan: Dwarf male. 74 years old. Guard, laborer, and Pasha. NPC. Speaks Nibnese, Tyrian, and Dwarf.

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

 When the group saw that Magosa was burning, Julius and Alaxander rushed forward to help put out the fire. Kalino, Grak, Demetrius, and Salvador parked the wagon close to Magosa, but out of range of the fire. Grak went to go help with the fire. Kalino told Salvador and Demetrius to watch the unconscious Vashti, then he went to help as well.

I think we have a slight problem.

The group could see that nearly every resident in Magosa was injured, some badly. Julius and Alaxander used the Way to help as much as possible, while Grak just used his brute strength. They all threw dirt onto the burning thatch and were able to smother the fire in a couple hours. While the mud brick walls of the village stood strong, nearly everything else was destroyed.

Lesser Paraelemental of Silt

Second edition AD&D failed to make paraelementals for Dark Sun, so I will be creating some. I've decided to start with the lesser paraelementals and eventually get to the greater paraelementals.
However, I'm going to begin with the lesser paraelemental of silt. Feedback is welcome.

Prepare to cough a lot.

Stats after the jump.

Seventh Session - The Path Upon Which They Travel

Cast
Julius: Human male psychokinetic. Played by Dave. Speaks Balician and Tyrian.
Alaxander: Human male psychokinetic. Played by Ben. Speaks Balician and Elf.
Kalino: Human male fighter/preserver. Played by DM. Speaks Rammin, Tyrian, and Balican.
Vashti: Human female clairsentient/water cleric. Played by my wife. Speaks Nibnese, Gith, and Balician.
Grak (aka Guacamole): Pterran male ranger. Played by Clyde. Speaks Pterran and Giant.
Demetrius: Human male. 25 years old. Shepherd. NPC. Speaks Nibnese.
Salvador: Human male. 41 years old. Mason. NPC. Speaks Nibnese.

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

Travel with the wagons over the stony barrens was painstakingly slow. To prevent the wheels from being destroyed by the rocks, they took few chances. Alaxander would guide the kanks over flat areas, but he would have to wake up Grak to carry the wagon over the gaps in the rocks. After a couple hours of this slow travel, they stumbled upon hundreds of jankx. The group discussed if they should kill some for food, but they were afraid of starting a stampede. Ultimately, the group decided they had enough food and went around the herd.

Hours later, the group finally returned to the road. Just in time for high sun. Everyone gathered in the shade of the wagons. Vashti thought she found a good place to stay, but was sitting in the sun. Everyone ate and drank, except Grak, who meditated. Vashti preached a sermon on the benefits of water. Vashti then used her magic to heal Grak and Alaxander. When high sun had passed, the group continued down the wide trade road.

Dark Sun Terrain: Stony Barrens

Goblin Valley, Utah, USA

Of all the different types of terrain, stony barrens are the most common type in the Tablelands. Stony barrens appear as large sheets of exposed bedrock, usually orange-red sandstone. The bedrock is weathered away by strong, dry winds, so the barrens are littered with stones. The stones themselves can be tiny pebbles or large boulders. Dust and red sand are blown about the barrens by high winds.
Stony barrens are not without life. Between the large boulders and small stones, life emerges. The minuscule amount of rainfall that falls in the barrens can run between the stones and be protected from the suns harsh rays. This tiny amount of water allows life to struggle to survive. Thorny bushes and cacti are the most common type of plants to be found.

Sixth Session - Helping the Dead

Cast
Julius: Human male psychokinetic. Played by Dave. Speaks Balician and Tyrian.
Alaxander: Human male psychokinetic. Speaks Balician and Elf.
Kalino: Human male fighter/preserver. Played by DM. Speaks Rammin and Tyrian.
Vashti: Human female clairsentient/water cleric. Played by my wife. Speaks Nibnese, Gith, and Balician.
Grak (aka Guacamole): Pterran male ranger. Played by my 7 year old son, because Clyde could not make it. Speaks Pterran and Giant.
Demetrius: Human male. 25 years old. Shepherd. NPC. Speaks Nibnese.
Salvador: Human male. 41 years old. Mason. NPC. Speaks Nibnese.

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

High sun passed in shade, but not in comfort. The rocks were far too warm to lounge on, so the group stood or squatted in the shade. When High Sun had passed, Grak took down his cloak, which caused all of the other cloaks to fall onto the hot stones below. The group grumbled at Grak's thoughtlessness, but said nothing.
The group continued down the road and were surprised by four strange crab-like creatures that popped up out of the dirt. The creatures had a hard round shell, two or three flat chitinous tails, nine pointed legs, large mandables, and no obvious sensory organs. The creatures teleported Vashti, Kalino, and Salvador away, but somehow left all of their inorganic material behind. Grak, Alaxander, Julius, and Demetrius began fighting the creatures, as the creatures began eating Vashti's dropped ceramic peices and the blades of Kalino's khopesh.
Meanwhile, Vashti, Kalino, and Demetrius could hear the sounds of battle in the distance. They began making their way back to their friends, while loudly shouting.
Grak was doing well against the beasts, but Julius, Alaxander, and Salvador were finding it difficult to get through the creatures tough shell. One teleported away when Grak wounded it badly. When Vashti, Kalino, and Salvador returned to the group, they were able to gang up on the remaining creatures and kill them.
Julius used the Way to cook one of the creatures and Vashti cooked another with a fire. The group ate one and enjoyed the taste. Alaxander and Kalino took some of the shells to use for crafts later. Pleased with their success, the party continued down the road.
An hour later, the group saw an armored caravan wagon coming toward them. The mekillots pulling it walked slowly down the road. The group decided to hide and avoid the wagon, just in case they were looking for slaves to capture. As the wagon and crodlu outriders passed, Grak stood up from his hiding place. The crodlu riders pointed their spears at him and the wagon's archers pointed their crossbows at him, but they did not strike. Once the wagon had passed, the crodlu riders lowered their spears and followed.

This is the way I roll.

Asthasian Monsters

Links to Dark Sun Monsters and their official Dark Sun approval location.

Desert Village Architecture

Too often desert villages in fantasy rpg settings don't look any different from forest villages. Usually, you get a lot of individual buildings with wide avenues between them and, most likely, a wall surrounding the entire thing.
Something like this:

Courtesy Wizards of the Coast

Fifth Session - Recovery and Loss

Cast
Julius: Human male psychokinetic. Played by Dave. Speaks Balician and Tyrian.
Alaxander: Human male psychokinetic. Played by my 7 year old son, because Ben could not make it. Speaks Balician and Elf.
Kalino: Human male fighter/preserver. Played by DM. Speaks Rammin and Tyrian.
Vashti: Human female clairsentient/water cleric. Played by my wife. Speaks Nibnese, Gith, and Balician.
Grak (aka Guacamole): Pterran male ranger. Played by Clyde. Speaks Pterran and Giant.
Emir: Human male. 42 years old. Rancher. NPC. Speaks Balician, Nibnese, and Tyrian.
Dilay: Human female. 38 years old. Rancher. NPC. Speaks Balician, Nibnese, and Tyrian.
Lutfi: Human male. 17 years old. Rancher. NPC. Speaks Balician, and Nibnese.
Fikri: Human male.  19 years old. Rancher. NPC. Speaks Balician and Nibnese.
Havva: Human female. 14 years old. Domestic worker. NPC. Speaks Balician and Nibnese.
Riza: Human male. 22 years old. Ranch hand. NPC. Speaks Nibnese.
Amir: Human male. 18 years old. Ranch hand. NPC. Speaks Nibnese.
Essa: Human male. 20 years old. Ranch hand. NPC. Speaks Nibnese.
Hanif: Human male. 16 years old. Ranch hand. NPC. Speaks Nibnese and Tyrian.
Demetrius: Human male. 25 years old. Shepherd. NPC. Speaks Nibnese.
Salvador: Human male. 41 years old. Mason. NPC. Speaks Nibnese.
Agathon: Human male. 17 years old. Shepherd. NPC. Speaks Balician.


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

Vashti helped Grak into the small home on the property. Inside she saw Dilay, Lutfi, Riza, Amir, Essa, and Hanif tied up on the floor and Emir unconscious, with blood leaking from a wound on the back of his head. Vashti helped Grak into a sitting position and rushed to helped Emir. She patched up his head and moved him to a straw mattress on the floor. She then began untying Dilay. Grak's eagle hopped into the house and began pecking at the ropes on Hanif.
When Dilay was untied, Julius, Fikri and Havva arrived and dismounted. Fikri ran to his mother and hugged her. They both started helping to untie the others when Dilay explained what had happened. They had problems with gith before, but were always able to chase them off by showing their daggers and clubs. However, this time they had charged in without warning and engaged the men. They had knocked out Emir with the butt of a spear before he had time to react. The boys had put up a fight and sent Fikri to find help.
Although the boys were badly outnumbered, they fought as well as they could. However, when the gith threatened to kill Emir, the boys had to surrender. The gith tied them up and she believed they wanted to sell them into slavery.

Who wouldn't want to carry someone else for the rest of their life and not get paid?

She thanked them all for saving the ranch. Fikri told them that he promised them erdlu eggs for helping and Dilay said they could have all they could carry. Kalino looted the fallen gith and shared the spoils with Fikri. Vashti was patching up the men's wounds and asked if they could stay at the ranch and recover. Dilay saw the way Havva was looking at Julius and readily agreed.

Bald Dwarf Miniature

Finding miniatures for Dark Sun has always been a challenge, but nothing has been more difficult than finding a beardless Dwarf. All Dwarf miniatures are Tolkien Dwarves with long beards. I have found one Dwarf without a beard and this is it. I purchased it too and it now sits on my shelf, primed and waiting for paint.

At last, a Dark Sun Dwarf miniature.

 I also got this guy because he has wrist razors!

Defiler, obviously.

Has anyone else out there found any miniatures that fit Dark Sun perfectly? Any other bald Dwarves? Let me know.

Fourth Session - Dealing with Rustlers

Cast
Julius: Human male psychokinetic. Played by Dave. Speaks Balician and Tyrian.
Alaxander: Human male psychokinetic. Played by my 7 year old son, because Ben could not make it. Speaks Balician and Elf.
Kalino: Human male fighter/preserver. Played by DM. Speaks Rammin and Tyrian.
Vashti: Human female clairsentient/water cleric. Played by my wife. Speaks Nibnese and Gith.
Guacamole: Pterran male ranger. Played by Clyde. Speaks Pterran and Giant.
Fikri: Human male.  19 years old. Rancher. NPC. Speaks Balician and Nibnese.
Havva: Human female. 14 years old. Domestic worker. NPC. Speaks Balician and Nibnese.

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

The group ran for nearly twenty minutes, the hot stone burning their unprotected feet, before Fikri indicated that the farm was just a few yards away. Vashti laid her cloak on the hot ground and then laid atop it. She began crawling, using her cloak to prevent the hot stones from burning her skin, toward the edge of the small fifteen foot cliff that overlooked the erdlu ranch. Everyone else walked past her.
Once they reached the edge of the cliff, they saw three gith attempting to break into a storage building and one more guarding a house a few yards from the others. Alaxander began shouting insults at the gith. Being so far away, only one of gith heard him, but could not pinpoint his location. Alaxander and Guacamole climbed down the short cliff while everyone else went down the gradual slope. Kalino, Julius, Vashti, and Fikri hid behind some yucca trees. Alaxander and Guacmole attempted to hide also, but had to cross a wide expanse first. While crossing the expanse, they were spotted and the gith rushed towards them.

Gith Attack!

Bone, Stone, and Obsidian Podcast

I recently discovered a great Dark Sun podcast called Bone, Stone, and Obsidian. While they talk about other than second edition Dark Sun and I disagree with their outlook on Templars, it is still interesting to listen to.
Check them out here: http://misdirectedmark.com/category/podcasts/bsao/

Third Session - Communication Obstacles

Cast
Julius: Human male psychokinetic. Played by Dave. Speaks Balician and Tyrian.
Alaxander: Human male psychokinetic. Played by Ben. Speaks Balician and Elf.
Kalino: Human male fighter/preserver. Played by DM. Speaks Rammin and Tyrian.
Vashti: Human female clairsentient/water cleric. Played by my wife. Speaks Nibnese and Gith.
Guacamole: Pterran male ranger. Played by Clyde. Speaks Pterran and Giant.
Demetrius: Human male. 25 years old. Shepherd. NPC. Speaks Nibnese.
Salvador: Human male. 41 years old. Mason. NPC. Speaks Nibnese.
Agathon: Human male. 17 years old. Shepherd. NPC. Speaks Balician.
Cletus: Human male. 40 years old. Vinter. NPC. Speaks Balician.

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

They stared at the stone door for little while, then Guacamole began moving the rocks that would prevent the group from rolling the pillar away from the door. Alaxander grabbed a rock and began banging it on the door, just to see if something banged back. Nothing did, so he began assisting with the removal of the rubble.
Once the rubble was removed and the pillar rolled out of the way, Alaxander got the idea to take a peek into the room using the Way. He made himself and the orb he was holding insubstantial and put his head and the orb through the door. Inside, he saw a dark-skinned Dwarf standing on an old table that looked about to collapse. He was beating two skeletons back with a stick, but would soon fall. Alaxander stepped back from the door and told his companions to open the door.
Once the door was opened, Guacamole rushed inside and attacked one of the skeletons and the others followed. Julius, unfortunately, was viciously wounded and the way failed him, when he tried to counter attack. Once the skeletons were defeated, the Dwarf thanked them. He told them his name was Abu Talib and he was an escaped slave. He explained that he, and three others, were escaped slaves and had come upon these ruins. In the process of exploring the ruins, they got separated and he was trapped inside the room when they were fleeing the skeletons. He didn't know how the pillar collapsed, but he'd been holding back the skeletons for three days.

Hopefully, his focus was not being killed by skeletons.

Although suspicious, the group invited Abu to join them. Abu agreed and the group went upstairs to rest by the well. They set up camp and Alaxander offered to keep the first watch, while he continued work on his chitin shield.

 Day 3, Week 1, Dominary, Friend's Vengeance, 190th King's Age, High Sun

When he woke Kalino for this watch, Kalino indicated that Abu was gone. Alaxander woke everyone, told Julius that Abu was gone, and tried to indicate it to the others. Guacamole could see that Abu's tracks went outside of the keep and pantomimed it to the others. It then took Julius awhile for the group to get past their communication barrier, but he finally made it clear that he wanted to move their sleeping place, just in case Abu came back with slavers. Everyone agreed and the group moved downstairs, into the storage room where they found water and kank honey.

Why Dark Sun is my Favorite AD&D Setting

I was talking to a friend of mine about our favorite D&D settings and I began teasing him about his favorite, Forgotten Realms. I pointed out that it was too easy, with good epic level NPCs, safe cities ruled by good kings, and flowers that don't try to kill you.
"Why adventure at all?" I teased, "Elminster and that Drow guy can take care of it, right?"
He laughed it off, corrected me that the Drow guy was Drizzt, and then asked, "Well, what's so great about Dark Sun?"
I told him I loved the harshness of the setting. That every city is ruled by a tyrant, slavery is rampant, water and food are scarce, and that heroes in Dark Sun are the most heroic, because there's no eternal reward for being good.
We then moved on to other topics, but I wanted to expand on what I told him and try to convince other RPG fans to give Dark Sun a try.

Belgoi by Gerald Brom

Second Session - Mysteries of the Keep

Cast
Julius: Human male psychokinetic. Played by Dave. Speaks Balician and Tyrian.
Alaxander: Human male psychokinetic. Played by Ben. Speaks Balician and Elf.
Kalino: Human male fighter/preserver. Played by DM. Speaks Rammin and Tyrian.
Vashti: Human female clairsentient/water cleric. Played by my wife. Speaks Nibnese and Gith.
Guacamole: Pterran male ranger. Played by Clyde. Speaks Pterran and Giant.
Demetrius: Human male. 25 years old. Shepherd. NPC. Speaks Nibnese.
Salvador: Human male. 41 years old. Mason. NPC. Speaks Nibnese.
Agathon: Human male. 17 years old. Shepherd. NPC. Speaks Balician.
Cletus: Human male. 40 years old. Vinter. NPC. Speaks Balician.

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

While exploring the upper level of the ruined keep, Alaxander found a weak spot in the floor and fell into the ground floor. He was okay, besides a bruised ankle. After confirming Alaxander was okay, Julius tried to jump over the hole. He failed and fell into the ground floor, as well. Guacamole found a large room with two doors, that would avoid the hole, and decided to go that way instead. The large room was nearly empty, sand had piled up in the corners of the room and there was rubble, where the roof had collapsed. There was a mostly intact fireplace still standing along one wall. While passing through the room, a five foot centipede crawled out of the fireplace and attacked.

This is when shotguns would be helpful.

The Shepherd and the Defiler. A Dark Sun Fable.

During the 188th King's Age, Dragon's Contemplation, an intelligent Defiler lived, who was wonderfully skilled in the preparation of herbs. For years he had been occupied in searching for a peculiar kind of grass, the roots of the grass could be burned and if a man is thrown into the flames, the body would turn into gold. It occurred to this Defiler, while following a herd of carru, that he observed one of the carru eating the very grass he was so anxious to procure. He immediately rooted it up and asked the shepherd, who was near to assist him, to gather firewood. When he had collected the wood and kindled a flame, into which the grass was thrown, the Defiler, wishing to render the shepherd the victim of his avarice, asked him, under some pretense, to make a few circuits around the fire. The man, suspecting foul play, watched for his opportunity and seized the Defiler. He then threw him into the fire. Upon seeing the Defiler's body turn to gold, the shepherd abandoned his carru and decided to retire to the city. On his way to the city, with his bags of gold, the shepherd ran afoul of Elven raiders and was never heard from again.

First Session - The Taste of Freedom

Cast
Julius: Human male psychokinetic. Played by Dave.
Alaxander: Human male psychokinetic. Played by Ben.
Kalino: Human male fighter/preserver. Played by DM.
Vashti: Human female clairsentient/water cleric. Played by my wife.
Guacamole: Pterran male ranger. Played by Clyde.

Note: Clyde's wife made plans for him on our game day, so my 7 year old son played his character instead. Clyde had failed to name his character, so my son did that for him too.

Day 1, Week 1, Dominary, Friend's Vengeance, 190th King's Age, High Sun

It was high sun. Alexander, Julius, Agathon, and Cletus were sharing a slave wagon as it travelled toward Tyr. The wagon had bone bars and a wood floor. The top was bone and canvas, but the angle of the sun prevented the men inside from benefiting from the shade it provided. Guacamole, Vashti, Demetrius, and Salvador were in the same scenario. Although they had benefited from Vashti's extra water ration per day.
The caravan was eleven wagons, pulled by kanks. The slavers were keeping a close watch on the slaves, but when a sand storm threatened them on the horizon, they had no choice but to roll protective canvas flaps down in front if the slave cages. They sandstorm could scour the skin off their slaves and they would not sell for very much then. They slavers then hid themselves away to wait out the storm.

A sandstorm? Now's our chance.

Happy Free RPG Day

Free RPG Day is a way to try new games for free. Check out all the free adventures at DriveThruRPG: http://www.drivethrurpg.com

Upcoming Game

I'm excited to start running adventures under the Dark Sun once again. The party is formed.
1. Female Human Water Cleric/Clairsentient. Played by Jay.
2. Male Pterran Ranger. Played by Clyde.
3. Male Human Psychokinetic. Played by Dave.
4. Male Human Psychokinetic. Played by Ben.
5. Male Human Fighter/Preserver. NPC.

I found it interesting that the two players who are new to Athas both decided to play Psychokinetics. Ben was unable to make it to our character creation session, so he made his later without knowing what the other party members were. Interestingly, he also chose to be a human from Balic.
My NPC choice was due to the lack of magical support. Also, the Ranger is the only hit point bag, so I thought it'd be a good idea to add another fighter type. The lack of a thief might hurt them, but there are ways around that.
I'm excited to see what happens.

The Shepherd and the Erdlu. A Dark Sun Fable.

A Shepherd, watching his Erdlu eating in a scrub plain, was alarmed all of a sudden by the cries of an enemy. He appealed to the Erdlu to run with him, lest they should both be captured, but the animal lazily replied, "Why should I? Do you think it likely the conqueror will place on me two sets of packs?" "No," answered the Shepherd. "Then," said the Erdlu, "as long as I carry the packs, what matters it to me whom I serve?"

Upcoming Game and Equipment List

I'll be starting an upcoming Dark Sun game. So far, I have two players who have committed to playing. One will be a Human Water Cleric/ Clairsentient. The other will be a Pterran Ranger. I have a few other players coming over to draw up characters on May 26th. I am excited to get back under the Dark Sun.

I am also working on a comprehensive equipment list for Dark Sun. To begin, I have made a clothing list. Please, feel free to review and let me know if I've missed anything. Thank you.

The rest of the equipment list is on the right, or here.

The Kank and his Shadow. A Dark Sun Fable.

A traveler hired a kank and his owner to carry him across the desert. The day being intensely hot, and the sun at high sun, the traveler stopped to rest, and sought shelter from the heat under the shadow of the kank. As this afforded only protection for one, and as the traveler and the owner of the kank both claimed it, a violent dispute arose between them as to which of them had the right to the shadow. The owner maintained that he had lent the kank only, and not his shadow. The traveler asserted that he had, with the hire of the kank, hired his shadow also. The quarrel proceeded from words to blows, and while the men fought, the kank ran off. Both men died, for the kank carried all of their water.

AD&D 2nd Edition Character Sheet

I made these awhile ago. I use a seperate proficiency sheet with the Skills and Powers rules. Both of these use the Skills and Powers rules, but one is for original psionic rules and the other is for the updated psionic rules. I hope these help someone out.

Updated Psionic Rules

Original Psionic Rules

The Sick Erdland. A Dark Sun Fable.

A sick erdland lay down in a quiet corner of his scrub plain. His companions came in great number to inquire after his health. Each one helped himself to a share of the best plants near him. The erdland died, not from his sickness, but from a lack of nourishment.

Athasian Calendar

I made this Athasian full page calendar, because keeping track of time can get a little confusing sometimes. It's too big to take a good screen shot of, but feel free to download, use, and enjoy.

Dark Sun Villages

It's been far too long since I played Dark Sun and I'm getting the itch. The greatest AD&D setting has been on my mind a lot lately and I realized I made some mistakes when explaining villages. I always pictured them as a medieval looking village, just with less plants. Individual homes with hide roofs, maybe a common building and a small wall around it.
While I am sure some villages appear this way, ancient desert peoples in the Middle East built villages with many homes and buildings touching each other. The buildings would make up the wall, just by having thick walls and small windows toward the outside, or no windows on the outside.

Cramped = Defensible

Usually, the villages would have a courtyard in the middle for public gatherings or trade markets. Also, there were no direct routes to the courtyard, for defensible reasons. Attackers would have to fight down a hallway with at least three sharp corners, which are easy to defend. Or, they would have to fight room to room to get into the heart of the village. With all the threats on Athas, I have to assume that defense strength is taken very seriously.
Hopefully, I will be able to start another AD&D Dark Sun game soon. Wish me luck.