The Shattered Lands (A Dark Sun Adventure)
The world of Athas awaits. Psionics rule, magic is feared, and the Shattered Lands break the unprepared.
$18.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Monday - 4:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
0 / 6 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
The great House of Ashtari has fallen. Lady Ashtari, beloved patron of the house, has been assassinated under mysterious circumstances. Rumors spread through the city that her own husband orchestrated the murder to seize power, wealth, or perhaps something far darker. Whatever the truth may be, the house has been shattered. Its guards dispersed, its banners torn down, and its servants, slaves, and loyal retainers sold off like livestock to pay debts and silence loose ends. You were among those caught in the collapse. Now chained within the sweltering hold of a slave caravan, you are carried across the endless wastes of Athas toward an unknown fate. Food and water are scarce, cruelty is common, and the burning crimson sun shows no mercy. Every mile across the dunes is a reminder that Athas is a world built on suffering, where survival itself is a victory. Welcome to Dark Sun, one of Dungeons & Dragons' most brutal and iconic settings. Athas is a dying world of endless deserts, ancient ruins, and tyrannical Sorcerer-Kings who rule the city-states with absolute power. Arcane magic is feared for the devastation it brings, while psionic power is as common as steel. Monstrous creatures stalk the wastes, forgotten civilizations lie buried beneath the sands, and slavery is a fact of life for countless souls. But even in a world as harsh as Athas, legends can still be forged. The Shattered Lands is a D&D 5e campaign where you will struggle to survive, break the chains of oppression, uncover ancient secrets, and perhaps become one of the heroes destined to change the fate of the dying world. The adventure begins at Level 2 and is expected to progress to Level 6 and possibly beyond. The campaign will be run on Roll20 using the 2014 D&D 5e rules, with Discord used for voice chat. Players will receive a Dark Sun campaign guide containing setting-specific rules, available races and classes, and additional homebrew mechanics designed to bring Athas to life. The desert awaits. The chains are already locked. Will you survive long enough to free the dying world of Athas?
Game style
Combat Heavy
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Rules as Written (RaW)
Tactical / Crunchy
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(21)
2 years on StartPlaying
136 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Knows the Rules, Teacher
Average response time: Under 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
About me
Welcome to the Table—Leave Your Boring at the Door Let’s be clear: I like to have fun. The kind of fun that makes you say, “Wait... did we just ride a beholder like a rodeo bull and survive?” I’ve been around the gaming block more times than a bard's been kicked out of taverns. I've played just about every version of Dungeons & Dragons and a smattering of other systems, from high fantasy to "why is this pigeon carrying a gun?" Whatever the world, my goal is always the same—make it epic, make it cinematic, and for the love of dice, make it fun. Now, I’m all about the Rule of Cool. Want to parkour off a wyvern’s head while firing a crossbow upside down? If it makes sense and sounds awesome, hell yes, let's roll for it. But here’s the deal: Cool doesn't mean chaos. We still play by the rules—this isn’t a lawless wasteland. It's more like... a very stylish heist where the DM is the alarm system, and you're trying to outsmart me with flair and minimal property damage. Mostly. I welcome all kinds of players, from dice-slinging veterans to curious newbies who still think THAC0 is a brand of chip dip. But remember: this game isn’t about you steamrolling every scene like a caffeinated murderhobo with main character syndrome. We’re here to build a story together. Everyone gets a spotlight, everyone gets a say, and yes, even the guy who named his character “Blüdgør the Edgelord” gets a chance to shine. So buckle up, bring your best ideas, your worst puns, and your most questionable battle plans. If you’re ready to play hard, laugh harder, and maybe cry a little when the talking sword you adopted dies heroically, then welcome to my game. Let’s raise some hell—with a proper initiative roll, of course.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
This adventure is set in the world of Dark Sun, the brutal desert setting of Athas. The setting uses custom rules found in the Player’s Guide to Dark Sun 5e. Players will be given access to both the guide and the character creation document after signing up for the campaign. Characters will be created during Session Zero. During this session, we will discuss the unique rules of Athas, the themes and dangers of the setting, and work together to create character backstories and party connections. Athas is a harsh world where survival matters, so creating characters tied to the setting and to each other is strongly encouraged. This campaign uses a custom point buy system designed specifically for Dark Sun. Additional setting-specific rules, races, subclasses, psionics, and survival mechanics will also be covered during Session Zero. Characters begin at 2nd level.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
The following are required: - a mic and the ability to hear other players. - an internet connection. - a laptop or computer - Roll20 free account (free) - Discord account (free) - Discord voice chat (free)
What Chris brings to the table
I'll be bringing game knowledge, a high-quality adventure and a safe place for you to play D&D 5e. I have run this campaign before and will be bringing an intimate knowledge of the setting to the game. I have a Roll20 Pro subscription to help make this game an immersive experience for everyone involved.
Homebrew rules
This campaign uses a few homebrew rules to better capture the brutal survival themes of Dark Sun and to help combat flow more smoothly at the table. Potions Drinking a potion yourself is a bonus action and restores the potion’s normal rolled healing. Drinking a potion as a full action grants the potion’s maximum healing instead of rolling. Administering a potion to another creature requires an action, and the healing is rolled normally. Fragile Metal & Weapon Breakage Metal is incredibly rare on Athas, and many weapons are crafted from bone, stone, obsidian, or other fragile materials. On a critical fumble, certain non-metal weapons may break or become damaged depending on the circumstances. The exact effects will be determined narratively and mechanically by the DM based on the weapon and situation.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Headphones
Platforms used
Safety
How Chris creates a safe table
Player safety and comfort are extremely important at this table. Dark Sun is a harsh and brutal setting that includes themes of survival, slavery, oppression, violence, and horror, so we will take time to establish boundaries and expectations together before the campaign begins. During Session Zero, we will go through a Player Safety Deck exercise to discuss limits, themes, and topics players may or may not want included in the game. We will also discuss campaign tone, character connections, table expectations, and the specific themes that may appear throughout the adventure. This table uses the X, N, and O safety system: X = Stop the scene or content immediately. N = The content is approaching a boundary and should shift direction. O = Everything is okay and players are comfortable continuing. These tools may be used digitally, verbally, or through chat messages at any time during the session. No explanation is required for using a safety tool. We will also take at least one break during every session to allow players time to decompress, step away, hydrate, or check in privately if needed. At the end of sessions, we will use Stars and Wishes as a form of aftercare and feedback. Players will have the opportunity to share moments they enjoyed (“Stars”) and things they hope to see in future sessions (“Wishes”). My goal is to create a collaborative environment where everyone feels respected, heard, and comfortable while exploring the dangers of Athas together.
Content warnings
Safety tools used