Like I said before, I'd love to collaborate on Dark Sun stuff with you. Maybe something that concentrates on the 90+% of the game that is 2e. Especially if you get the itch to do a video on the Sorcerer Kings; right now I am drawing art and doing detailed writeups of them that I could share with you. Thanks again for giving Dark Sun some love. If you have a lore or 2e rules question Don't hesitate to ask.
This is a fantastic setting. Amazing that setting with so little metal can be so metal! And a setting called defined by its burning sun can be called dark sun. And they both works!
Very informative, gets the DM creativity flowing. I'm currently working on a Dark Sun-esque setting myself because of these videos, they're insanely helpful :D
This is incredible stuff, I went down a dark sun rabbit hole a little while back and felt like i had only scratched the surface. This is the kind of detail I was yearning for when trying to enrich my campaign. Thank you!
I did a lot of species tinkering for Dark Sun, almost 20 years ago. This included quite a few human sub-species, such as Pyreen, Elan, Maenads, as well as the ghoul-like Bales (an adaptation from GURPS Fantasy). I also had fun with a secretive and eerie parasitic life-form, that could "infect" all kinds of races. They slowly ate away and replaced brain and nervous system of its host, until the eyes of the creature looked out of the body-shell - heavily inspired by the Tsochar from the D&D 3.5 Lords of Madness book. Imagine a remote village, where dwarves, halflings, elves, humans, and all sorts of other species live together in harmony, although the skin around their eyes is strangely irritated with freckles and blisters, which - despite their vastly different physiologies - makes them almost look like family. I also threw in uniform orange-red hair, for those hosts who were able to grow it. Enter the player characters, who braved the deadly desert, only to find themselves in the seemingly unconditional hospitality of this strange tribe … greedily eyed by their fire-haired benefactors. 😈 A yes, and there were athasian Gith as well, which are pretty canon, but missing from your great video. ;)
Warforged might be neat, perhaps as either as an experiment by a Sorcerer King to create a theoretically loyal army who wouldn’t have the same issues of having to worry about food, water, or the like. Or perhaps by some other magically civilization or group, maybe as soldiers/watchmen by the Pyreen during the green age when metal would have been available, have them standing by in old ruins or secret compounds all around the planet as an eternal security system or the like, or maybe Rajaat started making them as a replacement for humans, but before he could activate/unleash his metal armies the Sorcerer King turned on him. One way or another the people creating them stop, probably taking the knowledge of how to make more with them, and they just stay dormant/at their post until something happens, someone/something finds them, or some event occurs that turns them on/creates that spark of true sapience in them. Maybe wandering spirits of the dead started finding these convenient empty shells and possessed them, maybe they’re lesser elemental's that were stuffed into constructs to power them but overtime they just fused with their shells, or maybe whatever it is about Athas that grants so many of its inhabitants psychic powers affected them over time, etc… So these beings suddenly find themselves in a world that on some levels is perfect for them, on others is incredibly hostile. The lack of water makes it unlikely for them rust, or for non metal components to mold or mildew. There’s plenty of open space that most other being aren’t going to even try to live in that would be just fine for them. They’re naturally tougher then most creatures, and very few people will have the means to even scratch them. On the other hand a war forged would probably be more metal then most locals would see in their entire lifetime, metal that could be melted down into other items, so even dead they’d probably be worth their weight in gold. Alive, they’re ideal slaves, never needing food, water, or even rest (also plenty of them would, theoretically, have skills at things like fighting or magic), they also don’t age and might only need something as simple as the mending cantrip to keep them up and running. Not to mention any number of groups who would probably want to pull them apart for the secret to creating such advanced constructs, or because they might have been created via defilement magic on some level, so some groups might just inherently hate them, even if they don't actively practice it. Also the increased likelihood of getting sand in places one could only clean out with the help of a screwdriver and a wrench. As a Warforged your story would probably be about finding your place in the world, and avoiding the many unpleasant fates that might befall you. Should you be seeking out the secrets of your existence, both why you were created and why are you self aware?, Should you oppose the Sorcerer Kings and try to free Rajaat if he was your creator? Maybe you should try to find others of your kind, maybe you should try to figure out how to make more Warforged. Without a method your people will inevitably die out or be enslaved by all the annoying fleshy things running around. As lone wanderers you are easy targets, but as groups you are larger targets and some people won’t like the potential upset in power a race of nigh Immortal Robots represents. On some level there's a natural push to become an adventurer because staying in one place probably won't get anything done, you don't exactly have much else going on, and if you're on the move anyone looking for you might have some trouble finding you. Also, interesting idea, for everyone else Defilement magic represents a significant threat, even for those who use it, it will eventually reach a point the effects on the environment would come back to bite them. Even Dragons have this problem, once the biosphere is well and truelly dead, they run out of servents and possibly food (assuming they need to eat, or breath if there's nothing producing Oxygen), not to mention no sacrifices, so Rajaat is going to break out of his cage eventually and who do you think the first names on his list of murder targets are going to be (seeing as most people probably aren't aware of Rajaat this probably wouldn't be an issue most would even know to be concerned about)? But for a Warforged? A being that needs no food, no water, not even oxygen? Defilement magic is an easy way to terraform the planet to be more suitable for your people, by making it harder for all the flesh bags to live on it. I could easily see a cabal of Warforged Defilers trying to completely destroy the biosphere just to rid the world of threats to them. Heck another explanation for Warforged, they aren’t locals, they’re from Eberron. They came to Athas on spelljammers or portals or the like, and either got stuck, or saw the world with plenty of untapped resources, little to no divine influence, primitive cultures who are still using stone age level technology, and is already well on its way to being a pretty good home world for their people (not to mention it has a form of magic that they might be able to employ on other worlds to help “terraform” them in a similar way), they just need to help move things along. I could see them as the big bad of a campaign, not even a Dark Sun only campaign but you could pretty easily expand it into Spelljammer or Planescape.
Psiforged as a version of warforged on Athas are sometimes used in Dark Sun in various tables. Moreover as come from eras were water is common, they still need water to function properly, and that also explains what there are so few now
I'm going Mainly Grimdark gamestyle & Dark Sun. This video came at a time I'm concerned about 5e. I love Forgotten Realms but i also bought the Verdant Passage in the '80s and that stuck with me for years. I love the setting and the desperation. There are no super heroes except the Sorcerer Kings. Low Fantasy/Magic reviled....Nice!
If I wasn't already going to subscribe for the content, I'd be subscribing because you cite sources. Thanks for offering a list of material so I can more easily dig deeper.
This is so great. I absolutely love this setting, I've been researching it for years and your video was still able to teach me a lot of new things about the setting. I'd love to see more videos on this setting!
Great Job! Keep sticking to the themes of Dark Sun, especially because these require no specific game edition or system setting mechanics to tell a story.
I lowkey hate how the Half-Giants got retconned out and replaced by Goliaths. Arguably one of the worst decisions WotC made in reviving Dark Sun, IMO. But other than that, I love how bleak Athas is and that Dark Sun made heavy use of my favorite AD&D mechanic of Psionics.
I have to correct you on the obsidian orbs. They are used to drain the life of animals(including people) to power spells, they themselves are not a power source. No offense intended, I love your channel.
I love this video and like all of your videos will probably be re-watching this for several weeks. The minotaur part of the video has me thinking of a character concept. A minotaur who grew up as a gladiator and escapes, going on adventures while going on a personal pilgrimage to the home island of the minotaurs. The catch being his minotaur parents died in the Arena when he was young so he has no clue which island that is or where the hell he is going. Madness ensues, probably gets caught up in some major events, maybe joins an adventuring party on impulse who knows. He just wants to go "home". As I said before, great work like always. I hope you have a Good day.
Dark sun is such a change in vibes. Man. I literally did an intro slide show projector on the wall style for my players. Including voiced changes during the vid for their entertainment and setting the theme. They all loved it
Just got from work and I see this in my recommendations today is a good day indeed also found a new awesome Conan(ish) character Nasa the Stone Age Warrior.
In my homebrew overhaul I had a nice mechanic for defiling. Anyone can preserve, it just costs a (minor) action. Most casters are tainted, having defiled but still able to preserve if they take the time. I used a system with three (minor) actions, any or all can be a half move, an attack or something similar to a bonus action. I think pathfinder has something similar. Spells usually cost two actions (one if quickened), so preservers can do less in one round and must often start channeling and/or casting and finish their next turn. In areas with abundant plantlife action channeling is faster but higher level spells still cost time. In areas that are more desolate (or that have been recently defiled) it will take longer. Defiling doesn't cost time to channel, but you get a taint. Each spell slot can become tainted. When refreshed that spellslot can no longer be used for preserving spells. When not using a tainted slot for a year, that slot gets free of taint. In addition when preserving one's casting attribute is the lowest of Int and Cha, while defiling you can use the highest of the two.
Your dark sun videos made me buy the old DOS dark sun games on steam. It also reminds me of the outlaw of Gor stories and I recall a weird David Carradine movie based off yojimbo and set on a desert planet
I ran into your video on conan lore, but as I've been prodding away on a little homebrew world for 5e and not seen much actual talk on Dark Sun before (and def had interest in stuff like the Thri-Kreen when I saw them) consider me most invested with this. The section on Thri-Kreen lore in particular is giving me a far more solid way to incorporate them into my world than just the nomadic bugfolk accidentally deposited by the Astral Elves they were going to be.
I think a race of Tosculi Pugilists, brought here ages past by a Thri-kreen Spelljammer Slaver-Barge but escaped into the wild and left in a perpetual evolutionary arms race against their former Thri-kreen masters/predators, would fit in perfectly. The double-edged nature of magic and the rarity of metal would inherently see the value in hand-to-hand combat rise considerably in martial value, and if you can rapidly evolve between generations to specialize in said combat, you can be a dominant martial force in a world where combat power is priceless. (Monks would work as well, I suppose, but the whole _ki_ emphasis and pseudo-mystical ability angle just feels like an awkward fit.)
Awesome content as always mate! Have you ever checked out a game called Kenshi? Think you would like it. Also I believe it would be a good candidate to be modded to represent this world.
Late reply, but Furyans from the movie Riddick and Pitch black as a new race to add in for Dark Sun would be so cool. As for the goggles, they can make it out of bone much like inuits in northern canada and alaska to protect their eyes from the sun. Honestly, the movie Pitch Black would fit in a Dark Sun setting, especially the bioraptors and the desert like landscape. Anyways i really enjoy your videos that’s all i have to say. Much love from Canada cheers!
I absolutely love these long lore videos you do bro. Keep up the amazing work- Dark Sun is a dope setting and any more videos you make in a similar vein will be just as great I’m sure 👍
Dark Sun needed cheesecake. John Carter of Mars, Conan and every other world with savagery and blood mixed with the machinations of outer gods also serves up a healthy dose of cheesecake, and D&D isn't cheesecake adverse so there was no real reason for the absence.
You can't make cheesecake without cows. The defiler wizards destroyed all the good pasture land ages ago, and Athas absolutely cannot grow enough corn to feed industrialized dairy farms...so no cheesecake for us.
The Dray are really a cool idea. Another one and as something exceptionally rare could be the Assimar. As in the canon lore of DS the Preservers can also achieve their own form of Apotheosis becoming godly beings of good they could have their own offspring unique to Athis by creating the Assimar as a kind of immaculate conception, like Jesus or the ancient greek demigods. And I mean "unique" because of the isolation of Athis this breed of good-aligned demicelestials would have their origin exclusive to the Dark Sun setting.
Great video. I always appreciate the chance to learn more about the settings of DnD. The only race in this list I didn’t like was the Tieflings. Not because your description of them was bad (far from it!) but because I would prefer to keep the separation between Athas and the Outer Planes much more absolute, since it’s one of the aspects that sets Athas apart from Toril or Krynn or the like. In addition to the Kalashtar, I feel like all the unique races of Eberron would work on Athas. The Warforged especially, as I could see them as the results of experiments by the Sorcerer Kings to create new and better slaves who are tougher and don’t beg for food and water every day.
This is great. I'm currently planning a dark sun campaign in PF 2 as a future version on my normal campaign. I'm going to swipe a bunch of these ideas. It also gets the brain juice going for other things I will change. Thanks!
Weirdly enough, as much as I hate the grotesque desire to include them in all D&D settings. I feel like the Drow would fit into Dark Sun quite nicely. Especially something more akin to their Eberron variation, worshiping a Scorpion Totem, or having a religion revolving around Fire, and it's potential for rebirth. Maybe set them at or around a dormant volcano which they seek to reawaken? Though, I am curious. Do Elemental Clerics still go to the Grey when they die? Or do their Souls go to the Elemental Planes? If the latter, than the Elemental Lords might as well deserve their status as "the gods of Athis". As if being one of only two groups of entities who might still be capable of restoring the land to life wasn't enough to earn the title.
Let's see if I understood, basically it would be like a alien reality distant from the world of dragons and dungeons but being a desert version, desolate and dying? Interestingly intriguing, I am surprised by the interpretive peculiarity that develops this universe of fantasy and different literary genres. Astonishing bestiary of such desert inhabitants, the wasteland realm tropic has a particularly brutal but epic charm! Simply Marvelous!!
It's a very unique setting. The whole world is basically a lifeless desert with few areas of life and grass because of the preservers (druids) Overuse of magic destroys the environment and water is more valuable than gold. Steel and iron are very rare. Most weapons are made with bones, stones, obsidian, wood or metal. It's a COMPLETELY different realm than any of the D&D realms.
Not to mention most fantasy races are dead. The "fantasy" races that are still alive are mutated or have evolved to look different and are basically new creatures. Most animals are dead and the ocean is replaced with a sea of sand liquid crap that is filled with worms, abominations and a huge pancake monster. Dude ITS A DAMN NIGHTMARE REALM!!
On the topic of the Eladrin, I agree that the traditional celtic fairy tale aesthetic usually given to fey creatures and races wouldn't fit on Athas, but I do think that we could keep the Celtic influence if we were to take more from the more traditionally "barbaric" Iron Age Britons. I can see the Eladrin, tattooed in woadlike patterns, hair spiked up with lime (possibly even mustachioed?), with the heads of their enemies hanging from their belts, chanting in a savage ritual as their druids sacrifice defilers in a wicker man. Tales of these near-supernatural headhunters who drag their victims into the land within the wind never to be seen again keep the preservers more prone to the temptation of defiling magic in line.
I feel like one could mix the typical eladrin in with some native american spiritual concepts and aesthetics. I'm thinking especially of the tribes that live in the desert regions of North America, of course. There is quite an overlap between their mythical creatures and fairies anyways.
Wasn't aware that Tieflings were in the Dark Sun setting, tbh i was never really a fan of Tieflings in other dnd settings but the Tieflings in Dark Sun sound metal af. Would definitely role a Tiefling barbarian in Dark Sun.
This is a great video, but...I think I've noticed something about the Dark Sun Setting. All of the standard "Monster" races are dead....but actually...Dark Sun is a setting where the "Civilized" races of the D&D world act more like the "Savage" races that you would fight in the Caves of Chaos: Humans=Hobgoblins/Drow (civilized but decadent. Minions of the ACTUAL BBEGs.) Dwarves=Dwarves (Honestly, they aren't that different, they are just enslaved here) Mul= Half Orcs (it makes sense for BBEG to crossbreed an expendable slave/gladiator race) Half Giants= Ogres (Big dumb violent Zangiefs who must be told Bison is the bad guy.) Halflings= Goblins (Nasty scheming little manflesh-eating savages, shamans are druids) Elves= Bugbears/Orcs (an entire race of opportunistic -but short sighted- Desert Raiders!) Thri-keen= Lizardmen (Obsessed with survival. Pragmatic to a fault. Will eat lost travelers.) Aarakocra= Harpies (They are both flying vulture-people. What do you want from me?) And I guess that's the point. Before Rajaat became the canon explanation for why Athas is the way it is, everything was a mystery, and the lack of gnomes was primarily because they didn't exist as PC races yet, so they wrote that Rajaat started a genocidal war. But nay! Nay, I say! It wasn't so that the original Dark Sun writers wanted gnomes and pixies were supposed to be wiped out, but rather that these silly races didn't fit the TONE of Dark Sun. And sadly, neither did all of the Goblinoids. Instead, Athas is a world that doesn't NEED Goblins and Orcs because its a land where humanity (and its allies) embrace their darker nature just for daily survival. The monsters of Athas aren't a dark mirror to the humans of Athas, so instead we get monsters that are not mirrors at all! True. Aliens. True. Freaks. Goblins and Orcs would THRIVE on Athas. Fast breeding. Naturally violent. Possibly can live off of more food sources than humans and demihumans can... (Rajaat probably wiped them out first, seeing their survival skills as the dangerous wild card that they are. Thri-keen were underpopulated and unnoticed back then...).
im still on the first book but i remember when i was at a school in Pensacola i saw one of the darksun books and looked up on amazon and accidently bought the whole collection by mistake but dont regret it
I came up with a status system that works for a variety of backgrounds. Each background has three levels and can gain status. A laborer can become a craftsmen and eventually earn his freedom to become a citizen of that city. The problem is, most just don't live that long. Tribes will have a low status for children, criminals, halfbreeds and those captured from other tribes. Any of those that redeem or probe their worth can eventually become a member and some can become an elder. Noble born might have to prove themselves, be one of many or of a weak house. They can become a respectable member or heir to a small house and eventually become a leader. If not born into a noble family one may start as a mercenary or officer, become a trusted advisor or marry into the family, or both. The Dynastic Merchant Houses can have a similar mechanic, except one is not considered a citizen of one of the great cities. Being free means you belong to a city, tribe or merchant house and have money to support yourself. Being broke and unaffiliated means you can be taken as slave by anyone who has the means to.
Do you have any videos of Conan Adventures in an Age Undreamed Of? I looked through your channel but didn't see any. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it .
Ah Dark Sun, recently joined a DND game a friend was in and made a Mul fighter. Due to how the setting was home-brewed the slavery background for Muls didn’t really fit but I did manage to work in a drive and longing for my Mul to prove to his dwarven clan that he belongs and will earn his place in their history along side his bearded forefathers.
@@GrimDarkHalfOffdont have the voice or time to do ds lore channel my self. But hope some would one day. So much lore, so many topics. Keeping hope alive.
This video awakened my dungeon master spirit :) and I might make dark sun setting campaign in the future! Can you recommend which edition should I use for it 2nd or 4th?
Interesting with the 2nd generation drey you put both “master race” and chosen people” I always considered those sentiments oddly similar, almost synonyms
Do you think you'll do a video on dark sun monsters? Also I think there are a third lizardmen species In the hidden valley in the last sea with dolphin.🦎🐬
I’m not particularly happy with the 4th Edition lore that adds the tieflings, I tend to prefer the old version of demons from 2e where they are reflections of Rajaat’s madness in his prison. I feel like tieflings being a people connected deeply to Rajaat is intimately more fascinating. Then again I also enjoy toying with the idea that the serpent god of the Athasian Yuan-Ti is literally Rajaat training a new generation of champions to overthrow his old champions.
Dark Sun is honestly one of the much more interesting D&D settings out there, and being a huge Dune fan it was a particularly fun setting for me growing up. It's a shame that it's one of the more underutilized of the D&D settings since it has so much more character than more generic settings like Greyhawk and Forgotten Realms (both good settings but definitely more generic)
Spoiler alert, Sorcerer Kings(and Queens) aren't turning into dragons from 'Dark Rituals'. Every spell they cast, every cantrip, every psionic power they unleash pushes them inexorably towards a full fledged dragon. Almost all of them are terrified of this fate. The power that comes with becoming a dragon is at the expense of their sanity. They already witnessed first hand what happened to Borys "Butcher of Dwarves". Driven completely insane by the transformation he laid waste to his own city something no sorcerer king wants. Killing off your population means you have nothing to rule over. When Dregoth was close to transforming into a dragon the rest ambushed and killed him. Spoiler Alert: He returned as an Dracolich.
1:01:09 I believe this is the only time I have ever heated the phrase “that of” used correctly on UA-cam Wow. I didn’t even know it was possible to use “that of” correctly until now.
Like I said before, I'd love to collaborate on Dark Sun stuff with you. Maybe something that concentrates on the 90+% of the game that is 2e. Especially if you get the itch to do a video on the Sorcerer Kings; right now I am drawing art and doing detailed writeups of them that I could share with you. Thanks again for giving Dark Sun some love. If you have a lore or 2e rules question Don't hesitate to ask.
Thanks I’ll pin you again so people can find you. I have an active discord linked in the description if you want to get in touch!
@@GrimDarkHalfOff Thank you very much, I'll take a look at your Discord link. I look forward to talking to you.
0:10
Even the name itself just has such a great grimdark low fantasy vibe
It's very weird Fantasy
This is a fantastic setting.
Amazing that setting with so little metal can be so metal! And a setting called defined by its burning sun can be called dark sun. And they both works!
... more Otis?
HELL YEAH ONE HOUR LONG GRIM DARK SUN VIDEO! SO EXCITED, SO GLAD FOR THE SPONSORS TOO!
Loosin my mind over this. So cool
Vampires and with the unique caveat of daylight doesn't affect them the same way it does in other worlds because there's no divine power behind it
I love Dark Sun. It kind of reminds me of Fallout when it still retained that desert wasteland aesthetic (Fallout 1, Fallout 2)
I can see that
I look at dark sun as fantasy fallout
Just in time for the planning of my own darksun game. Excellent work as always.
Please make more of this. There is a criminal lack of Dark Sun content. Thank you so much.
Np based and bleach pilled nickname
Very informative, gets the DM creativity flowing. I'm currently working on a Dark Sun-esque setting myself because of these videos, they're insanely helpful :D
Happy to be of service!
Legitimately thought the sponsor would be a VPN but it's actually a product fitting the video and what your audience would use. Respect.
Both are indie companies too! They pay less, but make me feel like less of a sell out.
@@GrimDarkHalfOff hell yeah man
This is incredible stuff, I went down a dark sun rabbit hole a little while back and felt like i had only scratched the surface. This is the kind of detail I was yearning for when trying to enrich my campaign. Thank you!
I will be watching this one so many times, as it lulls me to sleep and I have to restart it.
Good night and rest well
I did a lot of species tinkering for Dark Sun, almost 20 years ago. This included quite a few human sub-species, such as Pyreen, Elan, Maenads, as well as the ghoul-like Bales (an adaptation from GURPS Fantasy).
I also had fun with a secretive and eerie parasitic life-form, that could "infect" all kinds of races. They slowly ate away and replaced brain and nervous system of its host, until the eyes of the creature looked out of the body-shell - heavily inspired by the Tsochar from the D&D 3.5 Lords of Madness book. Imagine a remote village, where dwarves, halflings, elves, humans, and all sorts of other species live together in harmony, although the skin around their eyes is strangely irritated with freckles and blisters, which - despite their vastly different physiologies - makes them almost look like family. I also threw in uniform orange-red hair, for those hosts who were able to grow it. Enter the player characters, who braved the deadly desert, only to find themselves in the seemingly unconditional hospitality of this strange tribe … greedily eyed by their fire-haired benefactors. 😈
A yes, and there were athasian Gith as well, which are pretty canon, but missing from your great video. ;)
Dark sun filled the sword and sorcery needs of all dnd players and is in 2023 still my favorite
Wow a lot changed from 2nb to that 4th crap I'm only 1/2 way and the elfs are way different like nearly 2 different races wow
Warforged might be neat, perhaps as either as an experiment by a Sorcerer King to create a theoretically loyal army who wouldn’t have the same issues of having to worry about food, water, or the like. Or perhaps by some other magically civilization or group, maybe as soldiers/watchmen by the Pyreen during the green age when metal would have been available, have them standing by in old ruins or secret compounds all around the planet as an eternal security system or the like, or maybe Rajaat started making them as a replacement for humans, but before he could activate/unleash his metal armies the Sorcerer King turned on him. One way or another the people creating them stop, probably taking the knowledge of how to make more with them, and they just stay dormant/at their post until something happens, someone/something finds them, or some event occurs that turns them on/creates that spark of true sapience in them. Maybe wandering spirits of the dead started finding these convenient empty shells and possessed them, maybe they’re lesser elemental's that were stuffed into constructs to power them but overtime they just fused with their shells, or maybe whatever it is about Athas that grants so many of its inhabitants psychic powers affected them over time, etc… So these beings suddenly find themselves in a world that on some levels is perfect for them, on others is incredibly hostile. The lack of water makes it unlikely for them rust, or for non metal components to mold or mildew. There’s plenty of open space that most other being aren’t going to even try to live in that would be just fine for them. They’re naturally tougher then most creatures, and very few people will have the means to even scratch them. On the other hand a war forged would probably be more metal then most locals would see in their entire lifetime, metal that could be melted down into other items, so even dead they’d probably be worth their weight in gold. Alive, they’re ideal slaves, never needing food, water, or even rest (also plenty of them would, theoretically, have skills at things like fighting or magic), they also don’t age and might only need something as simple as the mending cantrip to keep them up and running. Not to mention any number of groups who would probably want to pull them apart for the secret to creating such advanced constructs, or because they might have been created via defilement magic on some level, so some groups might just inherently hate them, even if they don't actively practice it. Also the increased likelihood of getting sand in places one could only clean out with the help of a screwdriver and a wrench.
As a Warforged your story would probably be about finding your place in the world, and avoiding the many unpleasant fates that might befall you. Should you be seeking out the secrets of your existence, both why you were created and why are you self aware?, Should you oppose the Sorcerer Kings and try to free Rajaat if he was your creator? Maybe you should try to find others of your kind, maybe you should try to figure out how to make more Warforged. Without a method your people will inevitably die out or be enslaved by all the annoying fleshy things running around. As lone wanderers you are easy targets, but as groups you are larger targets and some people won’t like the potential upset in power a race of nigh Immortal Robots represents. On some level there's a natural push to become an adventurer because staying in one place probably won't get anything done, you don't exactly have much else going on, and if you're on the move anyone looking for you might have some trouble finding you.
Also, interesting idea, for everyone else Defilement magic represents a significant threat, even for those who use it, it will eventually reach a point the effects on the environment would come back to bite them. Even Dragons have this problem, once the biosphere is well and truelly dead, they run out of servents and possibly food (assuming they need to eat, or breath if there's nothing producing Oxygen), not to mention no sacrifices, so Rajaat is going to break out of his cage eventually and who do you think the first names on his list of murder targets are going to be (seeing as most people probably aren't aware of Rajaat this probably wouldn't be an issue most would even know to be concerned about)? But for a Warforged? A being that needs no food, no water, not even oxygen? Defilement magic is an easy way to terraform the planet to be more suitable for your people, by making it harder for all the flesh bags to live on it. I could easily see a cabal of Warforged Defilers trying to completely destroy the biosphere just to rid the world of threats to them. Heck another explanation for Warforged, they aren’t locals, they’re from Eberron. They came to Athas on spelljammers or portals or the like, and either got stuck, or saw the world with plenty of untapped resources, little to no divine influence, primitive cultures who are still using stone age level technology, and is already well on its way to being a pretty good home world for their people (not to mention it has a form of magic that they might be able to employ on other worlds to help “terraform” them in a similar way), they just need to help move things along. I could see them as the big bad of a campaign, not even a Dark Sun only campaign but you could pretty easily expand it into Spelljammer or Planescape.
Psiforged as a version of warforged on Athas are sometimes used in Dark Sun in various tables. Moreover as come from eras were water is common, they still need water to function properly, and that also explains what there are so few now
I'm going Mainly Grimdark gamestyle & Dark Sun. This video came at a time I'm concerned about 5e. I love Forgotten Realms but i also bought the Verdant Passage in the '80s and that stuck with me for years. I love the setting and the desperation. There are no super heroes except the Sorcerer Kings. Low Fantasy/Magic reviled....Nice!
If I wasn't already going to subscribe for the content, I'd be subscribing because you cite sources. Thanks for offering a list of material so I can more easily dig deeper.
Thanks brother! I’m still working on scripts for February, hopefully all gods in Conan part 5 will be out by feb 7th
Thanks to you and your work on this channel, I know everything about Dark Sun except how to convince the other folks at the table to give it a shot.
Show them the video!
This is so great. I absolutely love this setting, I've been researching it for years and your video was still able to teach me a lot of new things about the setting. I'd love to see more videos on this setting!
Seems like a really cool setting
Best lore videos. Love the breakdowns and the slides.
Wish someone would do high quality lore videos of dark sun.
Really interesting look into the setting I only first heard about through this great channel
This video is an excellent resource! Thank you for your work! Dark Sun is absolutely fascinating. Can't wait to dive deeper.
I've been thinking about running Dark Sun with Dungeon Crawl Classics. 😲
Have you heard of errant? It would fit the vibe of darksun
I hope it goes well!
Great Job! Keep sticking to the themes of Dark Sun, especially because these require no specific game edition or system setting mechanics to tell a story.
I lowkey hate how the Half-Giants got retconned out and replaced by Goliaths. Arguably one of the worst decisions WotC made in reviving Dark Sun, IMO. But other than that, I love how bleak Athas is and that Dark Sun made heavy use of my favorite AD&D mechanic of Psionics.
You would love the setting Arcanum. You will hate all gnomes after, but you will love the Half-Ogres in that setting!
@@GrimDarkHalfOff what does the setting of Arcanum entail?
I have to correct you on the obsidian orbs. They are used to drain the life of animals(including people) to power spells, they themselves are not a power source. No offense intended, I love your channel.
I love this video and like all of your videos will probably be re-watching this for several weeks.
The minotaur part of the video has me thinking of a character concept. A minotaur who grew up as a gladiator and escapes, going on adventures while going on a personal pilgrimage to the home island of the minotaurs. The catch being his minotaur parents died in the Arena when he was young so he has no clue which island that is or where the hell he is going. Madness ensues, probably gets caught up in some major events, maybe joins an adventuring party on impulse who knows. He just wants to go "home".
As I said before, great work like always. I hope you have a Good day.
You too, thanks for dropping by!
Dark sun is such a change in vibes. Man. I literally did an intro slide show projector on the wall style for my players. Including voiced changes during the vid for their entertainment and setting the theme. They all loved it
Just got from work and I see this in my recommendations today is a good day indeed also found a new awesome Conan(ish) character Nasa the Stone Age Warrior.
Great Job, I enjoyed this. I'll have to watch/listen to it more while I am working from home. Dark Sun is my favorite setting.
In my homebrew overhaul I had a nice mechanic for defiling.
Anyone can preserve, it just costs a (minor) action. Most casters are tainted, having defiled but still able to preserve if they take the time.
I used a system with three (minor) actions, any or all can be a half move, an attack or something similar to a bonus action. I think pathfinder has something similar.
Spells usually cost two actions (one if quickened), so preservers can do less in one round and must often start channeling and/or casting and finish their next turn.
In areas with abundant plantlife action channeling is faster but higher level spells still cost time.
In areas that are more desolate (or that have been recently defiled) it will take longer.
Defiling doesn't cost time to channel, but you get a taint. Each spell slot can become tainted. When refreshed that spellslot can no longer be used for preserving spells. When not using a tainted slot for a year, that slot gets free of taint.
In addition when preserving one's casting attribute is the lowest of Int and Cha, while defiling you can use the highest of the two.
yo... its faint, but you got the Shattered Lands menu music playing... good man!
Your dark sun videos made me buy the old DOS dark sun games on steam.
It also reminds me of the outlaw of Gor stories and I recall a weird David Carradine movie based off yojimbo and set on a desert planet
"The Warrior and the Sorceress". Top tier So Bad Its Fun 80s fantasy schlock. Its worth a watch.
Great content, loving all that Brom and RK Post artwork!
Good stuff as always! Hope you’re riding the Kali Yuga out alright!
Gonna grab some popcorn for this great long video
I hope it’s pleasing! Was recorded in a time crunch of 3 days.
I ran into your video on conan lore, but as I've been prodding away on a little homebrew world for 5e and not seen much actual talk on Dark Sun before (and def had interest in stuff like the Thri-Kreen when I saw them) consider me most invested with this. The section on Thri-Kreen lore in particular is giving me a far more solid way to incorporate them into my world than just the nomadic bugfolk accidentally deposited by the Astral Elves they were going to be.
Thank you very much, that’s why I’m here, all sorcerer kings (the evil dragons of the setting) coming soon
I think a race of Tosculi Pugilists, brought here ages past by a Thri-kreen Spelljammer Slaver-Barge but escaped into the wild and left in a perpetual evolutionary arms race against their former Thri-kreen masters/predators, would fit in perfectly. The double-edged nature of magic and the rarity of metal would inherently see the value in hand-to-hand combat rise considerably in martial value, and if you can rapidly evolve between generations to specialize in said combat, you can be a dominant martial force in a world where combat power is priceless.
(Monks would work as well, I suppose, but the whole _ki_ emphasis and pseudo-mystical ability angle just feels like an awkward fit.)
Based
In 4e, monks were actually psionic, which honestly makes sense, since their powers of ki derive from mental fitness as well as physical.
Awesome content as always mate! Have you ever checked out a game called Kenshi? Think you would like it. Also I believe it would be a good candidate to be modded to represent this world.
I wasn’t aware Kenshi could be modded, but I’ll check it out
Late reply, but Furyans from the movie Riddick and Pitch black as a new race to add in for Dark Sun would be so cool. As for the goggles, they can make it out of bone much like inuits in northern canada and alaska to protect their eyes from the sun. Honestly, the movie Pitch Black would fit in a Dark Sun setting, especially the bioraptors and the desert like landscape. Anyways i really enjoy your videos that’s all i have to say. Much love from Canada cheers!
Sweet!
I absolutely love these long lore videos you do bro. Keep up the amazing work- Dark Sun is a dope setting and any more videos you make in a similar vein will be just as great I’m sure 👍
Dark Sun needed cheesecake. John Carter of Mars, Conan and every other world with savagery and blood mixed with the machinations of outer gods also serves up a healthy dose of cheesecake, and D&D isn't cheesecake adverse so there was no real reason for the absence.
You can't make cheesecake without cows. The defiler wizards destroyed all the good pasture land ages ago, and Athas absolutely cannot grow enough corn to feed industrialized dairy farms...so no cheesecake for us.
If they had cheesecake, it would probably be made of nonfat and sugar free ingredients, leading to madness and torment.
Outstanding video young man!! After watching this video I went and bought the dark sun setting off Drive thru RPG
Happy to be of service
The Dray are really a cool idea. Another one and as something exceptionally rare could be the Assimar. As in the canon lore of DS the Preservers can also achieve their own form of Apotheosis becoming godly beings of good they could have their own offspring unique to Athis by creating the Assimar as a kind of immaculate conception, like Jesus or the ancient greek demigods. And I mean "unique" because of the isolation of Athis this breed of good-aligned demicelestials would have their origin exclusive to the Dark Sun setting.
Great video. I always appreciate the chance to learn more about the settings of DnD. The only race in this list I didn’t like was the Tieflings. Not because your description of them was bad (far from it!) but because I would prefer to keep the separation between Athas and the Outer Planes much more absolute, since it’s one of the aspects that sets Athas apart from Toril or Krynn or the like.
In addition to the Kalashtar, I feel like all the unique races of Eberron would work on Athas. The Warforged especially, as I could see them as the results of experiments by the Sorcerer Kings to create new and better slaves who are tougher and don’t beg for food and water every day.
Thanks Grim Dark! 😁👍
Finally, been waiting for your next video.
I love the Dark Sun setting so much
Listening to Grim Dark's video is just like attending a class in a University.. ESSENTIAL
Wow, fantastic vid! I am prepping some Dark Sun at the moment, seriously great run down of the setting.
Thanks
I love Dark Sun’s take on Halflings so much.Seems like one of the few true attempts to make them unique and a thing in their own right.
I saw a source claiming Kenku are somewhere in Athas, I'd love to put a Kenku only Thieves Guild in one of the city-states
This is great. I'm currently planning a dark sun campaign in PF 2 as a future version on my normal campaign. I'm going to swipe a bunch of these ideas. It also gets the brain juice going for other things I will change. Thanks!
A classic. One of my faves.
God Emperor of Mantis Kind
Yeah that dude has AMAZING hair
Really cool video. Dark sun is such and unexplored setting in youtube.
This is very well done. Pretty amazing how good of a job this is.
Weirdly enough, as much as I hate the grotesque desire to include them in all D&D settings. I feel like the Drow would fit into Dark Sun quite nicely. Especially something more akin to their Eberron variation, worshiping a Scorpion Totem, or having a religion revolving around Fire, and it's potential for rebirth. Maybe set them at or around a dormant volcano which they seek to reawaken?
Though, I am curious. Do Elemental Clerics still go to the Grey when they die? Or do their Souls go to the Elemental Planes? If the latter, than the Elemental Lords might as well deserve their status as "the gods of Athis". As if being one of only two groups of entities who might still be capable of restoring the land to life wasn't enough to earn the title.
I’d just use the Dunmer from Elder scrolls, but I agree
Let's see if I understood, basically it would be like a alien reality distant from the world of dragons and dungeons but being a desert version, desolate and dying? Interestingly intriguing, I am surprised by the interpretive peculiarity that develops this universe of fantasy and different literary genres. Astonishing bestiary of such desert inhabitants, the wasteland realm tropic has a particularly brutal but epic charm! Simply Marvelous!!
Dark Sun is definitely the best D&D world!!!
It's a very unique setting. The whole world is basically a lifeless desert with few areas of life and grass because of the preservers (druids)
Overuse of magic destroys the environment and water is more valuable than gold. Steel and iron are very rare. Most weapons are made with bones, stones, obsidian, wood or metal. It's a COMPLETELY different realm than any of the D&D realms.
Not to mention most fantasy races are dead. The "fantasy" races that are still alive are mutated or have evolved to look different and are basically new creatures. Most animals are dead and the ocean is replaced with a sea of sand liquid crap that is filled with worms, abominations and a huge pancake monster. Dude ITS A DAMN NIGHTMARE REALM!!
god emperor of Mantis kind and his son ferrus mantis, mantis the red, manterion, leamantis russ, robute gillamantis,
Amazing! We need more episodes, congratz!
Stoked thank you
On the topic of the Eladrin, I agree that the traditional celtic fairy tale aesthetic usually given to fey creatures and races wouldn't fit on Athas, but I do think that we could keep the Celtic influence if we were to take more from the more traditionally "barbaric" Iron Age Britons. I can see the Eladrin, tattooed in woadlike patterns, hair spiked up with lime (possibly even mustachioed?), with the heads of their enemies hanging from their belts, chanting in a savage ritual as their druids sacrifice defilers in a wicker man. Tales of these near-supernatural headhunters who drag their victims into the land within the wind never to be seen again keep the preservers more prone to the temptation of defiling magic in line.
I feel like one could mix the typical eladrin in with some native american spiritual concepts and aesthetics. I'm thinking especially of the tribes that live in the desert regions of North America, of course. There is quite an overlap between their mythical creatures and fairies anyways.
Wasn't aware that Tieflings were in the Dark Sun setting, tbh i was never really a fan of Tieflings in other dnd settings but the Tieflings in Dark Sun sound metal af. Would definitely role a Tiefling barbarian in Dark Sun.
Thank you for the high quality content overall. Also, your take on Clark Ashton Smith's works would certainly be very interesting.
That was awesome. More Dark Sun please.
+1
This is a great video, but...I think I've noticed something about the Dark Sun Setting. All of the standard "Monster" races are dead....but actually...Dark Sun is a setting where the "Civilized" races of the D&D world act more like the "Savage" races that you would fight in the Caves of Chaos:
Humans=Hobgoblins/Drow (civilized but decadent. Minions of the ACTUAL BBEGs.)
Dwarves=Dwarves (Honestly, they aren't that different, they are just enslaved here)
Mul= Half Orcs (it makes sense for BBEG to crossbreed an expendable slave/gladiator race)
Half Giants= Ogres (Big dumb violent Zangiefs who must be told Bison is the bad guy.)
Halflings= Goblins (Nasty scheming little manflesh-eating savages, shamans are druids)
Elves= Bugbears/Orcs (an entire race of opportunistic -but short sighted- Desert Raiders!)
Thri-keen= Lizardmen (Obsessed with survival. Pragmatic to a fault. Will eat lost travelers.)
Aarakocra= Harpies (They are both flying vulture-people. What do you want from me?)
And I guess that's the point. Before Rajaat became the canon explanation for why Athas is the way it is, everything was a mystery, and the lack of gnomes was primarily because they didn't exist as PC races yet, so they wrote that Rajaat started a genocidal war. But nay! Nay, I say! It wasn't so that the original Dark Sun writers wanted gnomes and pixies were supposed to be wiped out, but rather that these silly races didn't fit the TONE of Dark Sun. And sadly, neither did all of the Goblinoids. Instead, Athas is a world that doesn't NEED Goblins and Orcs because its a land where humanity (and its allies) embrace their darker nature just for daily survival. The monsters of Athas aren't a dark mirror to the humans of Athas, so instead we get monsters that are not mirrors at all! True. Aliens. True. Freaks.
Goblins and Orcs would THRIVE on Athas. Fast breeding. Naturally violent. Possibly can live off of more food sources than humans and demihumans can... (Rajaat probably wiped them out first, seeing their survival skills as the dangerous wild card that they are. Thri-keen were underpopulated and unnoticed back then...).
Squints real close at the Ice Devil Thri-Kreen...
Isn't that Cocytus from Overlord?
Yes his design was inspired by Ice Devils
im still on the first book but i remember when i was at a school in Pensacola i saw one of the darksun books and looked up on amazon and accidently bought the whole collection by mistake but dont regret it
Yes keep up the good work you're the best grim dark
good for the ones mentioned, but I'm disappointed you skipped the elan and the xeph. Aren't they the most unique to athas besides the mul?
Yeah that’s one of my biggest regrets about this video
I came up with a status system that works for a variety of backgrounds.
Each background has three levels and can gain status.
A laborer can become a craftsmen and eventually earn his freedom to become a citizen of that city. The problem is, most just don't live that long.
Tribes will have a low status for children, criminals, halfbreeds and those captured from other tribes. Any of those that redeem or probe their worth can eventually become a member and some can become an elder.
Noble born might have to prove themselves, be one of many or of a weak house. They can become a respectable member or heir to a small house and eventually become a leader.
If not born into a noble family one may start as a mercenary or officer, become a trusted advisor or marry into the family, or both.
The Dynastic Merchant Houses can have a similar mechanic, except one is not considered a citizen of one of the great cities.
Being free means you belong to a city, tribe or merchant house and have money to support yourself. Being broke and unaffiliated means you can be taken as slave by anyone who has the means to.
Great video. I believe it was elves the Kreen had a particular fondness for, rather than humans and halflings though.
Do you have any videos of Conan Adventures in an Age Undreamed Of?
I looked through your channel but didn't see any. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it .
I’m unfamiliar, but I can certainly look into it!
@@GrimDarkHalfOff
Awesome!
Ah Dark Sun, recently joined a DND game a friend was in and made a Mul fighter. Due to how the setting was home-brewed the slavery background for Muls didn’t really fit but I did manage to work in a drive and longing for my Mul to prove to his dwarven clan that he belongs and will earn his place in their history along side his bearded forefathers.
We need more dark sun PLEASE
I may do something in that area soon… stay tuned
@@GrimDarkHalfOffdont have the voice or time to do ds lore channel my self. But hope some would one day. So much lore, so many topics. Keeping hope alive.
perfect for movienight with dinner
This video awakened my dungeon master spirit :) and I might make dark sun setting campaign in the future! Can you recommend which edition should I use for it 2nd or 4th?
Very awesome, thank you!
Interesting with the 2nd generation drey you put both “master race” and chosen people” I always considered those sentiments oddly similar, almost synonyms
Always accuse your enemy of what you are guilty of yourself and so on
could you guys do a more detailed break down of each city state eventually?
Sure but I’m just one guy, not multiple guys
@@GrimDarkHalfOff Oh! Well you do great work, especially for being a solo operation.
Bug people in the desert are just vibing in the desert, eating people, living their best lifes.
Yes they are!
The Kreen are one of my favorite races across all settings.
Awesome! Thank you very much! The great effort is appreciated! 🌑⚔️🪄❣️
Do you think you'll do a video on dark sun monsters? Also I think there are a third lizardmen species In the hidden valley in the last sea with dolphin.🦎🐬
Eventually!
At 5:53, is that Necron from Ice and Fire?
No that’s a Templar from Brom’s art. I have never kept up with Martin.
@@GrimDarkHalfOff This Nekron ua-cam.com/video/vem7Ie-6iIo/v-deo.html
I’m not particularly happy with the 4th Edition lore that adds the tieflings, I tend to prefer the old version of demons from 2e where they are reflections of Rajaat’s madness in his prison. I feel like tieflings being a people connected deeply to Rajaat is intimately more fascinating. Then again I also enjoy toying with the idea that the serpent god of the Athasian Yuan-Ti is literally Rajaat training a new generation of champions to overthrow his old champions.
Also, for Minotaurs, I believe they’re from the island of Shault
"Top Kek" got me.
Aaracocra vulture sorcerer who is a defiler that feeds on halfling's spiritual essence. Skeksis reborn!
This video will take me a few days to finish because I work all the time but I really love this channel I watch all the videos and I love it.
Dark Sun is honestly one of the much more interesting D&D settings out there, and being a huge Dune fan it was a particularly fun setting for me growing up. It's a shame that it's one of the more underutilized of the D&D settings since it has so much more character than more generic settings like Greyhawk and Forgotten Realms (both good settings but definitely more generic)
Broms art kicks so much ass
That's funny, Pixie Blight is the name of my neo-core ren fair diesel punk band.
39:22 I recognize big homie Cocytus when I see him
Yeah it works great because the creator of overlord was inspired by Ice Devils in DnD for his design.
Perfect arkwork collection
Spoiler alert, Sorcerer Kings(and Queens) aren't turning into dragons from 'Dark Rituals'. Every spell they cast, every cantrip, every psionic power they unleash pushes them inexorably towards a full fledged dragon. Almost all of them are terrified of this fate. The power that comes with becoming a dragon is at the expense of their sanity. They already witnessed first hand what happened to Borys "Butcher of Dwarves". Driven completely insane by the transformation he laid waste to his own city something no sorcerer king wants. Killing off your population means you have nothing to rule over. When Dregoth was close to transforming into a dragon the rest ambushed and killed him. Spoiler Alert: He returned as an Dracolich.
1:01:09
I believe this is the only time I have ever heated the phrase “that of” used correctly on UA-cam
Wow.
I didn’t even know it was possible to use “that of” correctly until now.
In my D&D settings, I always include Dark Sun, Ravenloft and Dragonlance races and classes
Very nice!
Kenshi would be a good shout for inspiration too
Nice