Dark Sun setting - Role-Playing Games Resources

Dark Sun setting - Role-Playing Games Resources
image © Wizards of the Coast

Article updated: 2021.07.12

The Dark Sun is a fantasy world, a game setting based on the planet of Athas. I've gathered articles, videos and other resources that were published for the Athas (Dark Sun) setting.

Products - Dark Sun

Dark Sun for AD&D Ed2 - 1st Edition (TSR)

Setting: Dark Sun v1, System: AD&D Ed2

Rules

Dark Sun Boxed Set (1991.10): Boxed set

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Campaign Setting: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Characters

Dune Traders (DSR2, 1992.05)

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Dune Traders: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Elves of Athas (DSS3, 1993)

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Elves of Athas: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Slave Tribes (DSR1, 1992.02)

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Slave Tribes: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Dragon Kings (1992.06): Hardcover book, magic sourcebook

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Dragon Kings: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Veiled Alliance (1992.10)

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Veiled Alliance: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Thri-Kreen of Athas (1995): Softcover book

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Thri-Kreen of Athas: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

The Will and the Way: Psionicists of Athas (1994.06)

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: The Will and the Way: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

The Complete Gladiator’s Handbook (1993.07): Softcover book

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: The Complete Gladiator’s Handbook: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Earth, Air, Fire, and Water (1993.10)

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Setting

The Ivory Triangle (1993.06): Boxed set

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: The Ivory Triangle: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

City-State of Tyr (DSS1, 1993.08)

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: City-State of Tyr: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

City by the Silt Sea (1994.09): Boxed set

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: City by the Silt Sea: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Valley of Dust and Fire (DSR4, 1992.12)

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Valley of Dust and Fire: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Beyond the Prism Pentad (1995.06)

Creatures

Monstrous Compendium: Dark Sun Appendix I - Terrors of the Desert (1992.03): looseleaf sheets

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Monstrous Compendium Terrors of the Desert: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Monstrous Compendium: Dark Sun Appendix II - Terrors Beyond Tyr (1995.03): looseleaf sheets

Adventures

Freedom (DS1, 1991.12? 1992.01?)

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Freedom: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Road to Urik (DSQ1, 1992.03? 04?)

Black Flames (DSM1, 1993.04)

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Black Flames: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Merchant House of Amketch (DSM2, 1993.09)

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Merchant House of Amketch: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

jabberjabber (for ): Dark Sun Reviews: Merchant House of Amketch: Review article.¤

Marauders of Nibenay (DSM3, 1993.12)

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Marauders of Nibenay: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Black Spine (DSE2, 1994.02): Boxed set

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Black Spine: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Road to Urik (DSQ1, 1992.04)

Arcane Shadows (DSQ2, 1992.07? 08?)

Asticlian Gambit (DSQ3, 1992.11)

Dragon's Crown (DSE1, 1993.03)

Forest Maker (1994)

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Forest Maker: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Adventures - convention adventures

Guarded Wagon Caravan Company (1992)

Clutchmates (1993)

Hope for the Future (1993): Dark Sun Benefit, GenCon

Isle of Gillig (1993)

Who'd Want to Kill Us? (1994): Dark Sun Grandmasters, Winter Fantasy

The Night the Dragon King Died (1995): Dark Sun Special, GenCon

Full Circle (1994?)

The Price of Power (1994)

* * *

Dark Sun for AD&D Ed2 - 2nd Edition, Revised (TSR)

Setting: Dark Sun v1.1, System: AD&D Ed2

The setting is set a little bit further in the timeline of Dark Sun v1.

Rules

Dark Sun: Campaign Setting Expanded and Revised (1995.10): Boxed set

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Campaign Setting Expanded and Revised: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Setting

Windriders of the Jagged Cliffs (1995.12): Softcover book

Mind Lords of the Last Sea (DSS3, 1996.02): Boxed set

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Mind Lords of the Last Sea: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Psionic Artifacts of Athas (1996.10): Softcover book

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Psionic Artifacts of Athas: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Defilers and Preservers: The Wizards of Athas (1996.07)

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Dark Sun: Defilers and Preservers: Review article, with thoughts on integrating this product with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Adventures - convention adventures

Reciprocity (1995?)

Double Chase (1995?)

Double Chase Two (1995?)

Double Chase Three (1996)

Death Duels on Athas (1997): GenCon

* * *

Dark Sun for D&D Ed3 (Paizo Publishing, licenced from Wizards of the Coast)

Setting: Dark Sun v1.2, System: D&D Ed3

The setting is set a few hundred years further in the timeline of Dark Sun v1.

Dragon 315 (2004.01): Defilers of Athas article - Defiler wizards of Dark Sun for D&D Ed3

Dragon 319 (2004.05): Dark Sun setting for D&D Ed3

Dragon 339 (2006.01): Dragon Kings article

Dragon 351 (2007.01): Athas and the World Serpent Inn article

Dragon 364 (2008.06): Campaign Classics: Hazards of Dark Sun article

Dungeon 110 (2004.05): Dark Sun setting for D&D Ed3

Dungeon 111 (2004.06): Creatures of Dark Sun for D&D Ed3

* * *

Dark Sun for D&D Ed4 (Wizards of the Coast)

Setting: Dark Sun v2, System: D&D Ed4

The setting is a variation of Dark Sun v1, it resets the timeline to the original Dark Sun, but introduces new species.

Rules

Dark Sun Campaign Setting (2010.08.17): Hardcover book

Creatures

Dark Sun Creature Catalog (2010.08.17): Hardcover book

Adventures

Ashes of Athas Campaign (2011.01-2013.01)

Alphastream: Ashes of Athas: You can request the adventures at this website.

Alphastream: Ashes of Athas: Articles about the creation of this campaign.

Alphastream: Ashes of Athas: Where to Begin
Alphastream: Ashes of Athas: The Development Process
Sly Flourish: All About Ashes of Athas with Teos Abadia: Podcast about the creation of Ashes of Athas.

Bloodsand Arena (2010.06.17)

Marauders of the Dune Sea (2010.08.17)

The Lost Cistern of Aravek (2010.08.21): Dark Sun Game Day

Adventures - convention adventures

Death in the Arena (2010.01): D&D Experience adventure

Glory and Blood (2010.08): Gencon 2010, Dark Sun Arenas

Adventures - D&D Encounters

D&D Encounters: Dark Sun Play Tracker (2010.06): PDF download

D&D Encounters: Characters (2010.06): PDF download

D&D Encounters: Curious Knack Delver Reward (2010.06)

D&D Encounters: Ancient Tales Delver Reward (2010.06)

D&D Encounters: Strength to Survive Delver Reward (2010.06)

Fury of the Wastewalker 1: An Obsidian Rain (2010.06)

Fury of the Wastewalker 2: Tomb of a Long Lost Age (2010.06)

Fury of the Wastewalker 3: Flight to Tyr (2010.08)

* * *

Resources - Dark Sun setting

Official

WikiPedia: Dark Sun

WikiPedia: List of Dark Sun modules and sourcebooks

WikiPedia: List of Dark Sun novels

The Burnt World of Athas: Online community for the fans of Dark Sun.

ENWorld: Dark Sun Collector's Guide: A list of Dark Sun products.

Resources for D&D Ed4 Dark Sun

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): Changing Dark Sun: Ideas on changing the setting.

David Dolph (for Big Ball of No Fun): 2E - 4E Dark Sun: Thoughts on integrating AD&D Ed2 Dark Sun products with Dark Sun for D&D Ed4.

Alphastream: Dark Sun: Several articles about running Dark Sun games in D&D Ed4.

Resources for D&D Ed5 Dark Sun

Dark Sun Player's Guide 5th Edition D&D: Fanmade rules for playing on the world of Dark Sun v1, using D&D Ed5 rules.

DM Dave's Dark Sun for D&D Ed5: Several articles detailing the Dark Sun v1 setting, using the D&D Ed5 rules. There are more articles than the ones listed below, so it's worth visiting the website.

DMDave’s Dark Sun Primer | Quick Reference Guide (Updated 8/13/19)§/Ł

DM Dave: Creating a Dark Sun Character | Player Guide for Fifth Edition§/Ł

DM Dave: Races of Athas (Dark Sun) | New Player Options for Fifth Edition§/Ł

DM Dave: Classes of Athas (Dark Sun) | Player’s Guide for Fifth Edition§/Ł

DM Dave: Athasian Classes (Dark Sun) v1.2 | New Player Options for Fifth Edition§/Ł

DM Dave: Personalities and Backgrounds of Athas (Dark Sun) | Player Guide for Fifth Edition§/Ł

DM Dave: Equipment and Currency in Athas (Dark Sun) | Player Guide for Fifth Edition§/Ł

DM Dave: Magic in Athas (Dark Sun) | Player Guide for Fifth Edition§/Ł

DM Dave: Dark Sun 5E Monstrous Compendium§/Ł

DM Dave: City-State Specific Proficiencies | Optional Rules for Dark Sun§/Ł

Marcus Stout: Dark Sun 5th edition campaign setting: Fanmade rules for playing on the world of Dark Sun v1, using D&D Ed5 rules.

* * *