Dark Sun 5e Homebrew

About the adventure

D&D meets Mad Max. Embark on an epic journey through the sun-scorched world of Athas in my homebrew Dark Sun campaign for D&D 5e, where survival is a victory in itself. Perfect for both seasoned players and newcomers to the world of D&D, this campaign takes you on an adventure across a desert world filled with danger and intrigue. In this campaign, you'll navigate a land where magic drains life, and water is more precious than gold. As you traverse the dunes and face off against fearsome creatures, you'll uncover ancient secrets and forge alliances with diverse and dynamic characters. This campaign is tailored to be accessible for new players, however this is a classic setting that will transport you to '90 D&D elements in the distinctive setting of Dark Sun. Fight tyranny, slavery, environmental destruction and global warming. You'll learn the ropes of D&D in a supportive and engaging environment. Expect a blend of intense tactical combat and deep narrative exploration, all woven together with moments of levity and humor.

Additional Details

How to prepare

Webcam and Microphone: A functioning webcam and microphone are essential for effective communication and immersion in the game. Make sure your equipment is tested and working before the session. Stable Internet Connection: A reliable and stable internet connection is crucial to avoid disruptions during the game. Goodwill and Collaboration: Come with a positive attitude and a willingness to work collaboratively with other players and the DM. This campaign thrives on teamwork and mutual respect. Familiarity with the Setting: While not mandatory, getting into the mood of the game by familiarizing yourself with the Dark Sun setting can greatly enhance your experience. You can explore resources on YouTube, read about the setting, or engage with related media like the 'Mad Max' movies or comics to get a feel for the post-apocalyptic and harsh environment of Athas. Character Creation: We will create characters during our first session, so there’s no need to prepare one in advance. However, thinking about the type of character you might want to play can be helpful. Optional Reading: If you’re new to D&D or just want a refresher, reading the basic rules ahead of time can be beneficial, but is not required. Our focus will be on storytelling and fun, so don't worry if you're not familiar with every rule. Keep in mind the following characteristics about Dark Sun: The world is a savage desert: Life is hard, everything is dangerous, there is no morality other than the law of the strongest. They kill for water: Water is the most valuable commodity, and the food chain is relentless. Metal is scarce: Forget the weapon and armor technology you know from D&D. Arcane magic desecrated the world: Spellcasters are banned and pursued with lethal force. Superstition fuels hatred against mages. Sorcerer-kings rule the City-States: The 7 city-states are the only places in the desert that allow life, but mad sorcerer-kings rule as living gods. Gods do not exist, worship the 4 elements: There are no gods or devotees, other than those who worship the 4 elements in their primal states. Psionics are natural: Most people and creatures develop some kind of psionic talents, which imbues everything in the world. Races and classes are not what you expect: Halflings are cannibal hunters, Elves are wild nomads; there are no paladins, monks, or sorcerers. But you can play Half-giants, Mul (half-Dwarves), or Thri-Kreen (mantis men) with new classes like the Templar, the Gladiator, or the Defiler Wizard.

What I provide

In my Dark Sun campaign, I bring a variety of resources and a distinct GM style to create a memorable and immersive experience for my players. Here's what you can expect: Splendid Lore adaptation and Homebrew content: In our Dark Sun 5e homebrew campaign, we delve into a world where the familiar D&D races have been shaped by Athas's harsh history and the supernatural effects of magic, psionics, and elemental forces, akin to an irradiated world. Our journey will explore races such as humans, aarakocra, thri-kreen, mul, pterrans, half-elves, halflings, half-giants, dwarves, and elves. While more exotic races like tarek, ssurran, or gith, and may be explored, our focus will be on the more "official" races initially. In Athas, traditional D&D classes undergo a transformation. Our goal is to reshape all classes, providing a new flavor and balance that aligns with the unique world of Athas. Inspired by the successful approach in "Adventures in Middle Earth", we will play unique to Dark Sun classes that require new mechanical support in 5e, such as gladiators, templars, merchants, and psionics, each with its distinct role and concept. Virtual Tabletop (VTT) and Resources: I'm flexible to use any VTT to bring our game to life, but mostly we will just need a meeting platform, Discord would be great. I work with available and custom maps and tokens tailored to the Dark Sun setting. Players will have access to my home-brewed content on Dark Sun 5e, for character creation tools. GM Style and Gameplay Experience: As a GM, I enjoy creating vivid characters, plots and narratives, adding depth and personality to NPCs and the world. My combat scenarios are intense and tactical, challenging players to think strategically. However, I am also a firm believer in the Rule of Cool, often allowing and encouraging creative and cinematic actions. While I respect the Rules as Written, I am flexible and open to bending rules for the sake of storytelling and player enjoyment. Additional Offerings: Accessibility to communication outside of sessions for questions, character development, or clarifications. A commitment to a respectful and inclusive gaming environment, where players' ideas and contributions are valued and encouraged. Players in my campaign can expect a well-balanced mix of narrative depth, strategic combat, and a focus on collaborative storytelling, all within the captivating world of Dark Sun. This campaign offers an opportunity to experience Dark Sun with a fresh perspective, where each class is tailored to enhance the storytelling and gameplay experience in this distinctive setting.

Gameplay details

In our Dark Sun campaign, player safety and comfort are of utmost importance. We will be using several safety tools to ensure a respectful and enjoyable experience for everyone, while also exploring challenging themes within the game setting. Lines and Veils: Before we start, we'll have a discussion to establish our "Lines" (topics we absolutely don't want in the game) and "Veils" (topics that can be in the game but will not be described in detail). This ensures that everyone's boundaries are respected. After each session, we will have a brief discussion to address any concerns and ensure that everyone is feeling okay about what transpired in the game. Stars and Wishes: This technique allows players to highlight positive experiences (Stars) and express hopes for future sessions (Wishes). Content Warnings: Considering the themes and topics that naturally arise in the Dark Sun setting (slavery, tyranny, abuse, etc), it's important to note that while characters are encouraged to confront and address these topics within the game as heroes. Such behavior will not be tolerated as players. Our aim is to create a thought-provoking and engaging experience while maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all players.

Content warnings

(none)

Safety tools used

Debriefing
Luxton Technique
Luxton Technique Discussion

How will character creation work

For our Dark Sun campaign, the character creation process will be an engaging and dynamic part of our first session together. Here's what you can expect: On-the-Fly Creation: We will create characters during our first session. This approach allows us to integrate character development seamlessly with the start of our adventure. Collaborative and Interactive: As we meet, we'll not only play and talk, but also create our characters together. This process will be light and immersive, allowing us to naturally develop our characters in the context of the game world and the group dynamics. Welding the Group Together: The aim of this method is to forge strong connections between characters and players from the outset. By creating characters in the context of the group and the starting scenario, we'll ensure that everyone is woven into the fabric of the story from the very beginning. Starting Level: As we are focusing on building our characters together and setting the stage for our campaign, the first session will be more about character and world introduction than heavy mechanics. The starting level and other specifics will be determined as part of our initial gameplay and discussions. Resources and References: Since we're creating characters in session, there's no need for pre-session preparation in terms of character design. We'll use the standard rules from the core D&D books, tailored to fit the Dark Sun setting. Any additional resources or unique setting rules will be introduced and explained during the session. This character creation method is designed to be a fun, collaborative way to start our journey in Athas, ensuring that each character is deeply integrated into the story and the group.

Players can expect

• Find a game to join solo or search for a professional game master for you and your friends/coworkers/family.
• Book your session and wait for the Game Master to approve you.
• If you don't have a blast with your first game, your next game is on us.