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.

The second reason is that they were enchanted, from the time before the creation of the Dead Lands. The enchantment was to hyper focus them on their experiments and, in extension, the Dead Lands themselves. These enchantments are still holding them to the modern day.
The third reason ties into the first reason. Normally mindless undead, such as skeletons, have a bit of intelligence in the Dead Lands and this would leave them, if the undead were to leave the obsidian plain. Large scale troop movements would be incredibly difficult with mindless automatons. 
The fourth reason, is that the northern cliffs are very difficult to maneuver troops through. There would be a terrible bottleneck and troops may be lost scaling them. It is not stated, but enemies in the Dead Lands would likely use this as an opportunity to attack their long hated rivals.
The fifth reason is the bugdead. If the rulers of the Dead Lands shifted their focus north, their enemies to the south would overrun them. Their cities and garrison forces would be destroyed.
The Dragonback Mountains prevent expansion to the west, the bugdead prevent expansion to the south, and the Web prevents expansion to the east. They don't have anywhere to go, so they war among themselves.
Lastly, it is explained that they just don't care too much about the Tablelands. Their goals have to do with the Dead Lands, not the Tablelands. They do not fear an invasion from the city-state armies and it appears the Sorcerer Kings of the city-states don't care too much about them. This has the effect of the Dead Lords being rather ignorant of the details of the Tablelands.

The next sections outlines the way the leaders of the Dead Lands interact with the living denizens beyond the obsidian plain. Most of these have to do with the attempt to drawing living people into the Dead Lands, to serve as new undead troops for their armies.
This short chapter is followed by an appendix. The appendix has the symbols and page location of the various factions, which is extremely helpful. There is a lovely map of the entirety of the Dead Lands. Last, is a copy of the Open Game License.
This last chapter and the appendix wrap things up nicely. The chapter answers one of the most important questions I had. The appendix is wonderful for dungeon masters planning to take their players to the deadly location.
The book is 162 pages long. I would recommend taking a look through it. Even if you do not use it in it's entirety, or use it in the Dark Sun setting at all, there are a profusion of great ideas for any setting. It is a good book overall and is definitely worth a download and a read.
I hope you have enjoyed my reviews of Secrets of the Dead Lands. It has been a pleasure reading this book and giving my insights and sharing my ideas with you.