The Burnt World of Athas

They are spoken of only in low voices, when the fire burns low and the night presses close, an old name carried from one fearful telling to the next, more warning than truth. In time, it settled upon them like dust upon bones: the Riven Flock. Yet no living soul has ever heard them name themselves, nor lingered long enough to learn what passes between them in the dark.

Three months ago, the dwarven brothers Goton and Olov Saltscraper disappeared from the city of Nibenay, never to return. The brothers left behind a number of creditors, including several merchants and even a minor noble house, all of whom had agreed to finance the expansion of the dwarves’ newly-established gold mine. Despite the gold dust and nuggets used to prove its existence, the mine is now assumed to have been a scam, and a number of assassins have been hired to eliminate the Saltscraper brothers for absconding with the funds.

Random generators are always nice to have for DMs that need some inspiration or some name. Here are some Dark Sun specific generators from around the web.

The History of Sysane, The Terror of Urik.

What If is a series of articles examining how the Dark Sun setting might be different if a single aspect were changed.

This week, we look at how Athas might be different if the orcs - much like the lizardfolk of the Last Sea - had survived the Cleansing Wars.

This article is intended as a practical and immersive companion to Athasian Emporium, expanding upon its material by focusing specifically on how Athasian food and beverages can be represented and experienced at the gaming table.

The Quick Plot Hooks series started as a fun thought experiment - how to develop interesting but reasonable encounters using two types of creatures from randomly determined Dark Sun Monstrous Compendium entries.

The Anattan Coast is a region steeped in tension and intrigue, where ancient powers, shifting alliances, and long‑buried secrets shape every step from its silty harbors to its cloud‑crowned mountain cities. Peril here doesn’t roar in from the wilderness - it whispers forth from forgotten ruins, simmering rivalries, and forces that have slept too long. Below are a number adventure hooks crafted to draw DMs and their players into the continent’s layered mysteries, challenging them to navigate a land whose dangers are as deliberate as they are enigmatic.

A proposed course of events on Athas during the next King’s Age, starting with FY 1, when Kalak was overthrown, and continuing to FY 77, the Year of Desert’s Slumber.

Ecologies of Athas is a series dedicated to examining some of the less well-detailed creatures of Athas. Today, we examine the cistern fiend.

A scalding wind washes over the village, bringing with it only oppressive heat, rather than a cooling respite. A cloud of dust rises up in the distance, moving against the wind - possibly traders, but probably raiders. As the dust cloud draws closer, its nature becomes obvious; tiny copper bells jangle with every stride of the pack animals, and colorful pennants flutter and snap in the hot breeze. Not just any trade caravan, Spyros’ Splendiferous Sundries has come to town!

A description of the Basin of Ahrachuah itself, and the communities therein.

Herein is presented Ahrachuah as an Elemental Patron, with formatting inspired by 2e deity entries. Ahrachuah’s stat block is followed with divisions of specialty priests built using Player’s Option rules, in order to create diverse roles in a self-contained community, each committed to serving the madness of their patron.

Cutting through the powder with creaking wheels and snapping sails, a skimmer plies the Sea of Silt. Known as the Black Betty, she is a former slave transport turned pirate vessel.

Herein is presented Ahrachuah as an Elemental Patron, with formatting inspired by 2e deity entries. Ahrachuah’s stat block is followed with divisions of specialty priests built using Player’s Option rules, in order to create diverse roles in a self-contained community, each committed to serving the madness of their patron.

The FFN Offcuts are material that didn’t make it into the revised version of Faces of the Forgotten North for one reason or another. Today’s material covers Uss-rahass and the Crisisss nikaal.

The FFN Offcuts are material that didn’t make it into the revised version of Faces of the Forgotten North for one reason or another. Today’s material covers the Thorlans - the undead residents of the ruined city of Thorlo.

The ruins of ancient civilizations and peoples like beneath the sands of Athas, but these ruins are as varied as the people who left them behind.

Ecologies of Athas is a series dedicated to examining some of the less well-detailed creatures of Athas. Today, we examine the cha’thrang.

What If is a series of articles examining how the Dark Sun setting might be different if a single aspect were changed.

This week, we look at how Athas might be different if the gnomes - much like the lizardfolk of the Last Sea - had survived the Cleansing Wars.